Spring Racing Carnival 2010
When most of the world inches towards winter, Down Under it’s time to welcome spring, and we do it in style with Spring Racing, also known as the Spring Carnival. This wonderful season of fun unites Australians in a spirit of bonhomie and excitement that builds up to almost epidemic proportions by 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of November. That’s when the Melbourne Cup is won by the fastest horse in the world. There are other events that lead to and from this great day on the Aussie calendar.
Horse racing is not confined to those few days in November; rather it is a common event in this sport loving country. But it is this season that acquires an importance that is hard to ignore. Come November and all roads lead to Flemington. On the Saturday before the Cup day the party begins with Victoria Derby. While the horses, their owners, and the jockeys are totally absorbed on how to win the race, a good part of the audience have slightly different pre-occupations. The Derby Day has grown over the past and now one of the major side shows is the Fashion on the Field for men. This has become such a popular event that in 2006, it out did the Melbourne Cup Day in attendance figures.
The following Tuesday is D-day, and the race that stirs a nation to passion. From Flinders St. to Flemington you see the carnival atmosphere evident in the crowds all expectant and excited. Fancy hats bob along the streets, and the colours of spring are everywhere. Melbournians dress for this event as if there were a red carpet to walk on. Though most have to trudge along soggy turf on stilettos that sometimes get bogged down, it definitely doesn’t come close to bogging down the spirits. The atmosphere is electric and buzzing with animation. And when it is all over, there’s no depressing anticlimax because there’s always tomorrow, and that’s Oaks Day.
Horses in a heated race at the Spring Racing Carnival
Oaks Day sometimes outdoes all other related events by its sheer enjoyment factor. This is the Ladies Day out that the ladies take to heart. The Fashion on the Field on this day is for the ladies and the judges really have a job on their hands. It is also called blokes day for they seem to enjoy the sights as well, and I’m not talking about the scenic landscapes. The horses do their racing and are cheered enthusiastically, but the fashion competition is what wins money for the lucky few in the audience.
And then comes the last day of the Carnival, the Stakes Day, which is fittingly nominated as Family Day. On this day the kids have their Fashion on the Field Day and win huge prizes for the whole family. They get to interact with TV stars, play games, go on rides and simply enjoy themselves. They of course get to see the horses run like mad to win their prizes. That brings the curtains down on a series of equestrian events that held a nation in thrall. One can only wonder if the horses realize what the fuss is all about.
