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Melbourne Cup Carnival

By Dr.k.ravindranath | 10-Nov-2025

Friends,

Those of you who have been here since 2009 will probably remember me.

I have been visiting Melbourne  since 2011 to be at the Flemington Race course on the first Tuesday of November to watch the greatest Race in Australia THE MELBOURNE CUP which is run over 3200 M,yes 2 Miles for 4 year olds and up.

The State of Victoria declares this as the One Which Stops the Nation and g

declares a holiday for all offices.

The Carniwal is from 1st November when Victoria Derby is run followed by Melbourne cup on 4th,Crown OAKS on 6th and CHAMPIONS DAY on 8th Saturday with Races to determine The Champion Sprinter,Miler and  one Race over 2000 M.

I had the rare privilege of being there on 4th and 8th.

Victoria Racing Club chief,Kylie Roger's declared that the Attendance over the 4 days at Flemington Race course was 2,86.746 persons and on The Cup day ,84374 people thronged the area.

There were 10 Races that day and weather was cold and rains predicted and Track was declared as Soft 6.

Jit rained for a few minutes just before the cup Race at 3 pm and helped a few mud larders to perform better than otherwise.

There were horses from England,Germany,France and even USA for the first time and an Irish horse,Al Riffa and a French horse,Presage Nocturne were the favourites at about 6 to 1.

There was just one local horse ,bred in Australia ,Trained by an Australian and ridden by an Australian lady jockey,Jamie Kah.

It was available at about 8 to 1.

It had drawn beautifully at Barrier 8 and had many followers.

The lady rode a fantastic Race having been inside near the rails and won by about 2 Lengths.

Jamie Kah is  only the Second Lady in the History of 165 year old Melbourne cup running to have won the same.

She received Thunderous applause.

Comimg to my fate:I had 2 Winners ,one at 3 to 1 and another at 11 to 1 and came out with 300 plus.

On 8th,the weather wa terrible with rains on throughout and the Track was declared as Heavy 9.

In India,racing will never happen under such conditions.

But here all Races were gone through and a few horses good on firm tracks failed and James Mc.Donald,worlds best jockey could win on only one horse from 8 rides.

And that one Horse,CIA Sistena was half- money favourite over 2000M.

For the first time ,I ventured buying a Quaddi Combo which is similar to our Mimi jackpot- nominating winners in last 4 Races.

Here ,fields are bid with 10,16,22 and 20 horses running in Races 6 to 9.

I I had a 54 Combo and invested 50 dollars and the ticket indicated 92 % return if successful..

I had James Macdonald as Banker and bette 100 to get 50 more.

I had 6 horses in last leg and a 12 to 1 horse bolted in,ridden by Ben Melham,Jamie's husband.

i got 715 dollars for a 50 invesr

tment.

It was one of my happiest moments of my Racing career which is 59 years old;

The very best thing about Racing in Australia is that 

There is Zero Tax.

No Tax at any stage.

One is paid within minutes however high the amount is.

My suggestion to Horse Race loving people:

Go to Australia for The Melbourne Cup Carnival Weekend during first week of November every year.

Hope Golden Girl ,my friend during 2010 to 2016 is still there and will respond with a hi.

Best wishe to all,

Dr.K.R.Nath

Post Your reply

11 Replies

Ayyarnet said ...

15-Nov-2025

Dr. Nath sir

Thanks for your posting. 3 months ago we had the privilege to view and Bet Australian races from India through the courtesy of Hydrabd Race club. Now that privilege is taken away by our Govt. 

Racenet website selection was indeed very good Sydney Morning Herald Racing pages were also good. 

But I liked the Hongkong Races. Dividends were too good. 

Thanks once again for your posting. 

Regards

Ayyarnet

Dr.k.r.nath said ...

15-Nov-2025

Very glad to see the responses :

Anilxk--Yes ,being at the Flemington Race Course is a thrilling experience which has to be indulged in by a Race lover.

The crowds are overwhelming and facilities are great.

I have had the good fortune to be there on Seven occasions since 2011.

Blake Shin is now one of the top Jackie's and rides for well known Connections.

Do go back in 2026 Carnival time.

Godzilla--Thanks a lot .

I will be here till Feb- March 2026.

Best time for you to come here is obviously,1st week of November.

isr: Thanks a lot.

I am unable to generate interest to write about current racing in our country.

Top Racing fraternity has failed all of us singularly by their inability to get the Tax reduced.

In Bangalore Members enclosure ,there are hardly 100 people on any Racing day unless it is Bangalore LIVE.

RETURNS on the Tote are pitiable .

Shekhawat Bannu-- Gigabyte Kick is a game horse which has been winning consistently.

I had won on it with Craig Williams up earlier.

He won The Champion Sprint by a Nose with Mark Zahira and it was 1st leg of my Quaddi.

Yes ,betting in Australia is far more fetching than betting in India as there is no Tax.

Libero-- Thank you my friend.

Albert Khare-- Dear Alby,

I am very very touched by your affection for me.I did hardly anything for you except introducing you at Calcutta during Invitation Week end ,to Tom Krish and the Lagad's .

But yes,you got motivated by our mutual talks and look wher you are now: A Race Commentator at one of the top Racing Centers in India.

My very Best Wishes for your continued progress.

RamIyear: And last but by no means least is my dear friend couple-- Isince we met in a Bangalore GT in 2015, we have been good friends and your wife Laxmi has kept good company all these yours.You people put me up twice in your home and looked after my requirements for which I am grateful to you couple andd your daughter,Akhila.

But our best time was during Invitation Cup weekend at Mysore in 2020 March when we were at the Members enclose at MRC and were able to visit Brindavan gardens, hamundi Hills with Libero .

I am looking forward to meeting you all in Aug- Sept 2026 at Hyderabad.

With Best Wishes to one and all

Dr.K.R.Nath

Ramiyer said ...

14-Nov-2025

Dear Nath sir.

After a long time you have written about australian racing particularly melbourne cup. 

Requeet you to conduct one last Gt at bangalore when you are there .Great honour to host you as our guest at my home. With limited facilites  you stayed with us couple of days. 

For Albert and Godzilla 

He has  reduced twenty years of age when i saw him..Now trimmed like a youth in his fourties.God bless him .

Albert Khare said ...

13-Nov-2025

So many of my life's event are so closely linked to you. 

Reading this post reminds me that you have lived the dream of any racing fan. 

Getting to witness races in person which will remain in most of our bucket list. 

Thank you for sharing this. 

Have a great trip and hopefully will catch up with you when you return to India

Libero said ...

13-Nov-2025

@Doc

Hope you enjoyed the carnival 

Nice read

Congratulations for winning mini JP

Regards 

Santhosh 

Anilxk said ...

12-Nov-2025

Hi

The Melbourne Cup experience is wonderful, in each corner of city likes, bar, shops, caferia, barbershops every where people talk about just one race of that day. I visited on 2008 cup day for a week package from Malaysia. It is so so mind blowing experience. A teenage Young jockey called Blake Shin won the cup on an almost pillar to attempt. I played on two horses who came third and fourth. Last day of carnival won a race owned by Lloyd williams on longer odds managing package amount. Over all it is just wonderful experience. Will try to visit once more. 

Godzilla said ...

11-Nov-2025

Dr Nath

I am thrilled to hear from you. I am due to visit Sydney early next year. This will be my first visit to Oz. Looking fwd to hearing from you.

Shekhawat Banna said ...

10-Nov-2025

Absolutely Fantastic Carnival get's over. On final Day Viva Sicatina won Comfortably James/Chris waller wonderful combination trainer/jockey. In Srint champion race Golphine filly had won Pervious race at last it's been Strached, but i never miss Giga kick it's one of favourite sprint horse Mark Zahra won Comfortably make handsome profit this Carnival. Mark Zahra, James Mcdonald, Jemmi melham, Jemmi motto, Ethan Brown and my favourite jockey Harry Coffeei they are best jockeys in racing Victoria now I cutting indian races just focusing on Victoria and earing well.

 

Bobhotha said ...

10-Nov-2025

You are writing about your visit and long . Just when date and is possible to play in India as other international racing.

Lalwani = Chennai said ...

10-Nov-2025

YES : I VERY WELL KNOW :

But Nowadays Everything Changed Here In INDIA : :

Offical Sites In INDIA No Longer Take Betting ( TAX Issue )

Isr said ...

10-Nov-2025

@ Dr. Nath

Felt happy to see your write up after a long gap. Request you to continue to give your opinion on important races and actively participate in Horse Talk.

May God  bless you