Latest updates: Melbourne Cup day

Welcome to nzherald.co.nz's latest updates on Melbourne Cup day. We cover all the action as it happens, on both sides of the Tasman.

5.28pm:
The puns are out in force already. The Melbourne Age says "Shock and awe" and a "Shocking crime scene". News.com.au says it was a "Shocking win". The Sydney Morning Herald is claiming it is a win for that city saying "Cup's heart is in Sydney".

5.23pm:
Jockey Corey Brown said he was elated.

"I've finally won a Melbourne Cup. It's a dream come true. I counted to 10, saw the clocktower and went for home. I'm speechless. I want everyone to experience the feeling I'm feeling now."

Trainer Mark Kavanagh was also happy. He said it was one of the great performances in Melbourne Cup history and said of Brown: "His preparation was timed to perfection."

5.17pm:
Winning jockey Corey Brown said immediately after the victory: "Every jockey wants to win. I have just lived my dream."

5.05pm
Shocking wins Melbourne Cup at $9.90 for the win, $3.60 place. Crime Scene placed second, with Mouriylan third. Warringah led for much of the race but faded in the closing stages.

But Shocking had the stronger legs, clearing out 50 metres from home and winning by a length.

4:34pm - TAB turnover up

Betting turnover is "looking good", and is up on last year, says the TAB.

TAB communications manager Kelly McAra says turnover at 4pm was almost at $5 million, just for the main 5pm race.

She is confident turnover for that race will reach this morning's prediction of about $7.5 million.

"It's looking good so far," she says.

The 4pm turnover is an improvement of about 5 per cent on the same time last year.

4:27pm - Melbourne Cup charity

Charity events are in full swing across the country, making good use of Melbourne Cup day frivolity. Although the TAB is experiencing high betting turnover, many are choosing to trade their money in for a good cause.

In Nelson, a summer fashion show featuring Trelise Cooper and Jane Daniels, with canapes and drinks on offer has just kicked off to raise money for Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.

Meanwhile, Starship is holding a sell-out Melbourne Cup Charity Luncheon at the Ellerslie Race Course. A spokesperson for Starship says over $270,000 has been raised over the last eight years thanks to their Melbourne Cup events. They are hoping this year will crack the $300, 000 mark with funds raised going to a high definition camera stack for their Paediatric Neurology unit.

3:20pm - Odds gap closing

The gap is closing in the betting stakes between the favourites, according to some bookies.

Australian betting agency BetStar has Viewed and Alcopop as equal favourites at $5.00 each.

Australia's largest bookmaker Sportingbet Australia also has the two horses equal at $5.50 apiece.

In New Zealand, the TAB has Viewed in front at $5.10, with Alcopop and Roman Emperor second, both at $6.60.

3:00pm - Not for kids

An expert on gambling has warned about the dangerous effects of letting children have a punt on the Melbourne Cup today.

Dr Matthew Rockloff, a senior lecturer in psychology at Central Queensland University, said having a flutter is not a harmless activity for children, ABC News reported.

He is warning that one-off bets on the Melbourne Cup can be an initiation into problem gambling.

"There's a lot of evidence that shows it's not a good idea to introduce gambling to people when they're young," he told ABC News Online.

"In fact, most people with gambling problems often develop gambling problems when they're adolescents."


2:52pm - You mean there's OTHER sport on?

Yep, the Melbourne Cup isn't the only event that sports-watchers' eyes are glued to today.

Over in USA, the Philadelphia Phillies are struggling to keep their baseball World Series dream alive against the dominant New York Yankees this afternoon (NZ time).

The Yanks have jumped out to a 3-1 lead in this year's best-of-seven games Fall Classic, and can win it all with a victory in Philadelphia today.

If the Phillies - the reigning champions - manage a win at home, it's back to New York for game 6 and (possibly) game 7.

Early on in today's baseball action, the score is 3-1 to the home team.


2:15pm - Cummings eyes main rival

Master trainer Bart Cummings is not too worried about the challenge from South Australian horse Alcopop in the Cup this afternoon.

Alcopop presents the greatest challenge to Cummings collecting his 13th Melbourne Cup with top picks Viewed, Roman Emperor and Allez Wonder.

Previously a cattle horse, Alcopop has undergone endurance training in the remote country of South Australia, leaving Cummings unsure how the horse will react to the bright lights and crowds at the race.

"He's hard to assess," Cummings told The Age newspaper. "Being trained away from a crowd, it's hard to say how he'll be. It could upset the horse."

Cummings added he doesn't believe Alcopop is ready as he will not have raced for three weeks when he hits the track today.


1:45pm - On the streets of Melbourne ...

Racegoers have already started arriving at Flemington as Australians gear up for the race that stops a nation.

With the race itself now just hours away, organisers are still making last-minute preparations, as blue skies appear over the course after a gloomy start to the day, the Melbourne Herald-Sun reports.

Melbourne streets are quiet for the Cup Day holiday, apart from punters headed to functions in their racing finery.

Taxis are gearing up for a huge day and operators of the city's trains and trams are under pressure to avoid any problems.

1:25pm - The place to see and be seen

Celebrity guests are expected to arrive in droves at Flemington racecourse today to schmooze it up in Emirate's Bollywood-themed birdcage party tent.

Notable entrants are glam metaller Tommy Lee, British royal Zara Phillips, Good Charlotte rockers Benji and Joel Madden, model/actress Sophie Monk and crooner Ronan Keating.

Melbourne Cup day is known for attracting big names to party - last year hip-hop superstar Snoop Dogg came downunder, and Paris Hilton with sister Nicky caused a stir with their table-dancing antics in 2003.

1:10pm - Bridgette has her say

Ellerslie racing ambassador and style icon, Bridgette O'Sullivan, has given her top tips on what she looks for in a winning horse.

Bridgette O'Sullivan

"I look for horses that can run over long distances and have displayed good form leading into the race." Unconcerned with the pedigree of the horse, she says a good jockey and barrier draw are more important for a win.

Her pick for the race is Bart Cummings' trained Viewed but like her husband Lance O'Sullivan (see item about him lower down), she says she would love to see New Zealand's top horse Daffodil take the Cup.

12:50pm - Recession? What recession?

Kiwi punters are digging deep.

At 12 noon today, total betting turnover for the main race was at its highest ever level on record for that time of the day.

TAB Racing Manager Michael Dore says turnover is up nearly 15 per cent compared to the same time last year.

"Obviously it's still early days. The majority of the betting action is placed on the Melbourne Cup in the two hours before the big race.

"But we are pleased with how things are tracking currently," he says.

The largest bet placed so far has been $5,000 on Alcopop, and Dore says there has been an unexpected swing of support to Roman Emperor, who has now shortened to second equal favourite.

12:31pm - Anger over decision to scratch

David Hayes, owner of Changingoftheguard, is furious that his horse has been controversially scratched from today's Melbourne Cup.

Three vets at Flemington today inspected Changingoftheguard, an expensive stayer purchased from Ireland seven weeks ago, and ruled he was unfit to run.

But while all three vets said the horse was lame in its near foreleg, Hayes vehemently disagreed, news agency AAP reported.

"The horse is not lame," he said. "If this horse is lame I will be scratching all my horses today as they're lame as well."

Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said he was confident with the decision made by the vets.

12:00pm - Fashion in the (damp) field

"Take an umbrella". That's the advice given to women from Melbourne's master milliner, Richard Nylon. Today's weather forecast for the Melbourne Cup predicts mild wintry conditions, sure to pose some fashion challenges for wearers of floaty skirts, high heels and hats.

During Melbourne Cup week, business booms for milliners. However, Nylon begs his customers to be mindful of the weather. "There's nothing more miserable than a damp ostrich plume," he says. "It looks like a damp rat".

The

Age

newspaper is offering some fashion tips for women concerned they might be the next YouTube top hit. They suggest avoiding delicate fabrics and gathered skirts should a strong wind recreate the Marilyn Monroe moment.

11:50am - Office sweep? A word of caution

Anyone having a punt at work today, beware - if you're betting $22 or more you could be getting your company in trouble.

According to the Department of Internal Affairs, office sweepstakes are a form of 'Class 1 gambling'.

This form of gambling can only be conducted when the total value of prizes is no more than $500, all of the money is returned as prizes and no one is paid to run the sweepstake.

This means if there are 23 horses running, punters may only gamble $21.74 per horse.

If a company breaks the rules, it could be fined up to $50,000.

11:05am - If anyone should know, it's Lance

One of New Zealand's most successful jockeys has offered his picks for the main race.

Lance O'Sullivan

has put Bart Cummings' trained Roman Emperor at number one, ahead of stablemate Viewed.

Rounding up the trifecta are Alcopop in second and Viewed in third.

"I hope I'm wrong - I hope [top kiwi horse] Daffodil beats them all," says the former New Zealand champion.

10:33am - First scratching for big race

English horse Changingoftheguard is the first scratching from today's Melbourne Cup.

Changingoftheguard's Cup lead-up was interrupted by a foot abscess two weeks ago but he recovered and worked well on Sunday.

However, Racing Victoria's chief vet Paul O'Callaghan inspected the European import yesterday and was not happy with his action.

After another examination this morning, O'Callaghan and two other vets said he couldn't run in the Cup.

10:25am - Weather latest

Ladies will need to keep a firm hand on their hats in Melbourne today, with winds averaging up to 45km/h. It should ease up in time for the race but will remain cloudy, with a chance of rain.

10:20am - Last year's winner eyes repeat

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner, Viewed, has become the clear favourite ahead of this afternoon's race.

Despite carrying the top weight of 58 kilos, punters are flocking to the Bart Cummings-trained stayer ahead of Alcopop and another of Cummings' horses, Roman Emperor.

Viewed has had a near flawless build-up for the cup, winning the Caulfield Cup before finishing third in the Mackinnon Stakes. He starts from barrier nine, aiming to become just the sixth horse to win the great race more than once.

Jockey Brad Rawiller says it is exhilarating to be riding the favourite and defending champion.

10:00am - TAB expects record punt on Cup

The TAB is expecting its biggest day of the year, with bets today expected to top $18 million.

A spokesman says of that $18 million, almost half - about 7.5 million - will be bet on the 5pm race at Flemington Raceway in Melbourne.

Bets from New Zealand pale in comparison with those across the ditch, however, with Australian bets expected to top $100 million for Melbourne Cup day.

Most bets will be placed later today, with the New Zealand betting prize pool currently just over $250,000.

Racing Operations Manager Michael Dore says for those people who might just have one bet a year - this is it.

He says about 10 per cent of New Zealanders usually have a flutter.

Daffodil is being backed as the local favourite for New Zealanders.

New Zealand has not trained a Melbourne Cup winner since Ethereal in 2001 and Daffodil's trainer Kevin Gray says the morning will consist of a bit of a trot around and a shampoo.

Gray says Daffodil has had a great lead up to the race and all she needs now is a bit of luck.

TAB bookie Stephen Hunt has gone against the trend - he reckons defending champion Viewed will take top honours.

9:50am - RBA could spoil the party atmosphere

The race that stops a nation is not expected to stop the Reserve Bank of Australia from lifting interest rates again today.

Last Melbourne Cup Day, the Reserve Bank slashed the cash rate by three-quarters of a percentage point.

But the economic outlook is vastly different this year.

The bank is now concerned leaving rates at extremely low levels could be imprudent, with the economy now in recovery mode.

A senior markets economist at the National Australia Bank, David de Garis, says the RBA's focus has shifted more towards staving off inflation.

Economists across the ditch are widely forecasting a quarter of a percentage point rise today, which would take the cash rate to 3.5 per cent.

9:45am - What the rich and famous think will happen

Local personalities are spreading their bets on which horse they think will win the Cup.

The politicians have placed their bets on Daffodil, with

John Key

,

Phil Goff

and Racing Minister

John Carter

all backing the kiwi filly.

Former Silver Fern

Bernice Mene

is picking Master O'Reilly, while Olympic Gold medallist

Danyon Loader

has his money on Roman Emperor.

If you are after the inside word, jockey

Samantha Spratt

is also backing Daffodil.