The Melbourne Cup: The horse race that captivates and divides Australia

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous horse race. While it has historically attracted huge crowds, it also raises questions over the ethics and practices of the racing industry, its treatment of animals and its influence on problem gambling.

Source: AAP

Key Points

• Cup Day is a public holiday in Victoria and falls on the first Tuesday in November
• The Melbourne Cup is rich in tradition but also divides public opinion
• The Cup has increasingly attracted criticism over animal welfare and the ethics of horseracing for profit
• Cup Day is Australia's biggest one-day gambling event

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