Wednesday, 14th September 2005 (4248 views)

The 18-carat gold Melbourne Cup is currently undergoing a world tour before it is awarded at this year's race.

Valued at $10,000, the gold cup along with AU $5.1 million in prize money is awarded to the horse winning the annual 3,200-metre race.

The Melbourne Cup is currently in Singapore and the country hopes that one day its own Singapore Airlines International Cup (SAIC) will be held in such high regard as the Melbourne one is.

On tour with the cup is Sheila Laxon who won the cups double with horse Ethereal, in 2001.

Considered Australia's most famous Tuesday, the day of the Melbourne Cup, which falls on the first Tuesday in November, unites the nation in a series of horse racing events and business meets.

Operating on a handicapped basis, the better the horse is considered to be, the more weight it must carry around the course.

 

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