‘The race that stops a nation,’ is the most watched five minutes of television Down Under, year in and year out and on the first Tuesday of November Flemington plays host to the most spectacular sporting event on the calendar.

Also famously known as the ‘Loving Cup,’ the Melbourne Cup is the jewel in the Spring Racing Carnival crown and the exhilarating Festival attracts more spectators than any other meeting on the planet.  While the race has the ability to grip on the whole of Australia, there is nothing quite like being there amongst the 100,000 plus crowd and it remains a truly unique event with a world famous atmosphere.

The first ever Melbourne Cup was run in 1861 and ever since the roll of honour for the great race has been dominated by some of the most famous race horses the world has ever seen.  The likes or Phar Lap and Makybe Diva both bolted to success and sealed their legacy at Flemington and it is every trainers dream to land the richest prize in the game.

The 2011 Melbourne Cup was won by French raider Dunaden who came out on top of a nail-biting photo with fellow European Red Cadeaux.  Who will come out on top in 2012?  Will Dunaden be able to defend his crown, will Americain be back to take the trophy or will Australia be able to keep the ‘Loving Cup’ on home soil?