http://melbournecup.com/Melbourne-Cup-Carnival-2009-3.html
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major annual Thoroughbred horse race. Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport, one is flat racing and other one is jump racing. Jump racing can be further divided into hurdling and steeplechasing.
This Melbourne Cup event is held at around 3 pm on the first Tuesday in November by the Victoria Racing Club, on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
The race has been held since 1861, initailly the distance in the race is 3,218 meters but current distance is 3,200 which is established in 1972. This race is for three years old or more. The minimum handicap weight is 49 kg. There is no maximum weight, but the top allocated weight must not be less than 57 kg. The weight allocated to each horse is declared by the VRC Handicapper in early September.
The total prize money awarded in 2008 was AUD$5.5 million, plus trophies valued at $125,000. The first 10 past the post receive prizemoney, with the winner being paid $3.3 million, down to tenth place which receives $115,000. Prizemoney is distributed to the connections of each horse in the ratio of 85% to the owner, 10% to the trainer and 5% to the jockey.
