The Melbourne Cup: A Celebration of Horses, Hats & Maybe Even Huge Crowds?
The Melbourne Cup. The Race That Stops A Nation (or at least makes it wear fascinators for a day). It's a day of nail-biting finishes, fancy frocks, and enough bubbles to make a champagne flute weep. But one question always pops up amidst the pre-race hype: just how many people attend this equine extravaganza?
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| How Many People Attend The Melbourne Cup |
The Answer is... It Depends
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Unlike the age of your average racehorse (hint: they tend to be older than your neighbour's complaints about your lawn), the attendance at the Melbourne Cup isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Here's the lowdown:
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The Golden Days: A Time of Record-Breaking Crowds Back in the halcyon days of flamboyant hats and questionable mullets (think the 80s and 90s), the Melbourne Cup could pull in a staggering 100,000+ punters. The record attendance sits at a whopping 122,736 folks back in 2003, which basically translates to enough people to fill up a small city!
The Modern Melbourne Cup: Still a Big Draw, But Maybe Slightly More Intimate Fast forward to today, and things have settled a touch. Attendance has dipped a bit in recent years, with the 2019 Cup clocking in at around 81,000. Still a pretty impressive turnout, but perhaps a sign that fascinators are getting a little more elbow room these days.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival: It's Not Just About One Race! The Melbourne Cup is the main event, but it's part of a four-day extravaganza known as the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Across all four days, you're looking at closer to 300,000 people pouring through the gates of Flemington Racecourse. That's a whole lot of champagne flutes to keep topped up!
So, how many people will attend the NEXT Melbourne Cup?
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Ah, that's the million-dollar question (well, maybe a ten-dollar one). It's tough to say for sure, but one thing's certain: the Melbourne Cup will still be a massive event, a chance to frock up, cheer on the horses, and maybe even make a winning bet (although that last one requires a bit of luck...and maybe some insider tips from a talking magpie).
FAQ: Your Guide to Melbourne Cup Crowds
- How to avoid the crowds? If you're not a fan of large gatherings, consider watching the race from a pub with a good atmosphere.
- How to dress for the Cup? Fascinators, fedoras, and your fanciest frock are all fair game. Just remember, comfort is key – you don't want to be stuck balancing a giant hat and a champagne flute all day!
- How to place a bet? There are plenty of legal betting options available online and at the track itself. Just remember to gamble responsibly!
- How to get to Flemington Racecourse? Public transport is your best bet, as parking can be a nightmare.
- How to have fun? That's the easiest part! Just soak up the atmosphere, cheer on the horses, and enjoy the day!
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