The Melbourne Cup 2023: A Celebration of Hooves, Hats, and History (and Maybe a Few Hangovers)
Ah, the Melbourne Cup. The race that stops a nation, unless of course, that nation is particularly good at ignoring horse races on Tuesdays. But for us Australians, it's a day of fancy frocks, questionable fascinators, and enough bubbles to make a champagne flute weep. But beneath the frivolity lies a serious competition – the Melbourne Cup! So, who reigned supreme in the 2023 edition of this prestigious race?
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| What Horses Won Melbourne Cup 2023 |
The Winner Takes It All (Except Maybe Your Dignity After All Those Cocktails)
Without A Fight (fitting name for anyone who managed to stay sober all day) emerged victorious, ridden by the champion jockey Mark Zahra. This wasn't Zahra's first rodeo (or should we say, Cup?) – he actually secured a back-to-back win, having triumphed with Gold Trip in 2022.
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
Without A Fight wasn't exactly the favourite (those odds were looking mighty fine though!), but hey, that's the beauty of the Cup – anything can happen (except maybe a quiet race, let's be honest).
QuickTip: The more attention, the more retention.
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The Runners-Up: Nearly There, But Not Quite There
While Without A Fight took the glory, let's not forget the valiant runners-up:
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
- Soulcombe galloped in second, proving there really is soul in this horse racing business.
- Sheraz snagged third place, showing that even a slightly unusual name can't hold you back (though it might make it harder to get a reservation at a decent restaurant).
Melbourne Cup Fun Facts (Because Let's Be Real, We All Need a Distraction from Our Betting Slips)
- Double Trouble: Without A Fight became the 12th horse in history to achieve the coveted Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double. That's some serious hoof power!
- Heavy is the Head (That Wears the Crown): The top weighted horse in 2023 was the mighty (but ultimately unfortunate) Gold Trip, carrying a whopping 58kg. That's like trying to win a race while wearing your entire wardrobe.
- Farewell, Channel 10: The 2023 Cup marked the last broadcast by Network 10, who apparently decided chasing reality TV was more lucrative than celebrating equine excellence.
How to Melbourne Cup Like a Pro (Because Apparently There's a Skill to This?)
Here are some quick tips to up your Melbourne Cup game:
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
- How to Pick a Winner: There's no guaranteed formula, but research the horses, their trainers, and past performances. Don't just pick the one with the coolest name (although, that can be a fun strategy too).
- How to Dress for the Occasion: It's a chance to unleash your inner fashion icon (or, you know, wear a fascinator you found on clearance). Just remember, comfort is key – those seats get hard after a few hours (and a few drinks).
- How to Eat Like a Champion: Don't forget to fuel up before the race! Think picnic fare that won't leave you feeling like a lead weight (unlike your Uncle Fred's famous potato bake).
- How to Celebrate (or Mourn) Responsibly: Enjoy the day, but remember to gamble responsibly. And if your horse loses, well, there's always next year!
- How to Recover from a Long Day of Racing and Revelry: Plenty of water, some ibuprofen, and maybe a vow to never wear that fascinator again.
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