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