A NOVEMBER RICH IN TRADITION FOR HORSE RACING

November will have no shortage of exhilarating races to thrill fans, enthusiasts and punters, offering two of some of horse racing’s finest traditional competitions.

THE MELBOURNE CUP

Fans will be disappointed to watch this one from afar, but the excitement on the track should see no change as Australia’s biggest track event of the year kicks off the month. The Melbourne Cup has a rich 159-year old history that will only get richer when the 160th edition kicks off at 3 pm AEDT on November 3rd of what has been a disruptive year for all of sports. The prediction and card decision chatter will not crowd the corridors of Flemington Racecourse as the coronavirus continues to keep crowds away, but surely there will be a massive online presence for The Melbourne cup 2020 betting as everyone looks to check up on their favourites, track the odds, and get in on the action come race day. In what would be a significant year 160 for the event, last year’s winner, homegrown Vow and Declare, is far from being a repeat favourite, with a stiff challenge from the Irish import, Tiger Moth, and fellow Australian bred Sunrise Baby. As usual, the race will include 24 international and local horses, racing over 3200 m, for the whopping $8 million prize money. A bit of post-race controversy marred last year’s finish, as a rare protest of the results was validated and the finish changed to send Master of Reality down to fourth, after crossing the line second. Hopefully, this year’s finish is less agitated.

THE NOVEMBER MEETING (CHELTENHAM OPEN)

This year’s traditional jump season curtain-raiser will not have the ambience of eager fans and enthusiasts clutching their tickets and lucky charms, but the fun should no less for it. For three action-packed days, Cheltenham racecourse will serve some of the finest jump racing of the season, as the road to The Festival kicks off. Known as the Home of Jump Racing, the history of Cheltenham has been built on this demanding format and is traditionally considered the official beginning of the jump race season. Through Friday, November 13th to Sunday 15th, the best jump stayers Britain has to offer will be on display, as the Meeting also marks the beginning of the National Hunt season in England. Friday, the 13th is Countryside Day and will be marked by The Muckling Brilliant Paddy Power Chase, while Saturday, paddy Power Day, will feature The Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeple Chase. The last day, Sunday, November Meeting Sunday, will star The Unibet Greatwood Hurdle Race. This year’s race will not see some of the biggest consumption of Guinness (over 200,000 pints in three days) as is custom, or the live music, parades, ad even camel racing that is always a hit with the children and fans but will no doubt have all of that support online with hubs and Twitter accounts dedicated to the races.

The action never stops!