In Australia, you can find one of the biggest horse-racing communities in the world. Melbourne is considered the sporting capital of Australia, and you can experience exhilarating horse racing at any of the four racing venues there. The Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious races held annually in Australia, and it’s a must-see for any sports fan.
You may have heard of other races, such as the Grand Prix, the Spring Carnival, and the Oaks. These events are run alongside the Melbourne Cup, and they’re important in the calendar for Australian horse-racing fans. It would be a mistake to think that all bets are placed on the big race; there are a range of other betting opportunities during the event.
Types Of Bets You Can Place
You probably already know that there are four ways to bet on the Melbourne Cup. The first is known as ‘Tote Board’ or ‘Tote’ for short. As the name suggests, this type of bet allows you to put a wager on the total winning margin of each horse. For example, if you think that Exaggerator is going to win the Cup by a large margin, you may want to place a tote board bet on the horse. If you’re convinced that Starlight is going to triumph, you might want to lay another wager on that horse.
‘Market’s Place’, or ‘Market’ for short, is another option. This type of bet offers you the chance to lay a wager on the winning horse, based on the price the market is willing to offer for that particular horse. For example, if you believe that Fairy Princess is going to win the Cup, but she’s been listed at a certain price, you may want to place a market bet on her.
‘Proposition’ is yet another way to bet on the Cup. This type of wager allows you to lay a wager on whether a certain horse will win or place, as well as what the odds will be on that happening. For example, if you think that Sweetness is going to win the Cup, but the bookies are offering very strong odds of 11/2 against, you may want to lay a proposition bet on the horse. Sweetness is currently holding a $2.60 favourite in the Cup, but the proposition bet allows you to wager on whether or not he will win, as well as the odds of it happening.
The last option is called a ‘Matchbook’ bet. These types of wagers give you the chance to lay a wager on whether two horses, or teams of horses, will win or place in the Cup. For example, if you think that Exaggerator is going to win, but he’s been badly damaged in a paddock accident and is unlikely to race again, you may want to lay a matchbook bet on the horse. Should he recover well from his injuries, you may want to place a subsequent bet on him in the future.
Not all types of bets are available at all gambling venues. For instance, Varying bets are usually available at country gambling locations, while some sportsbooks don’t permit bets on the final outcome of a game. Keep all this in mind when placing your wager.
How Do I Place A Bet?
You may have heard of other sports, such as cricket or Australian rules football, where you need to book your spot at a sports ground for the big game. While this may be the case for some sports, you don’t need to do this for Australian horse racing. If you’re planning to attend the Cup, you may place your wager at any time from eight months beforehand to the day of the event. The earlier you book your spot at a betting venue, the cheaper the rates may be. You’ll also find that some bookmakers offer attractive early bird discounts, so you may want to consider that, too.
Bookmakers usually get their hair done in different ways. Some prefer to have long hair, while others prefer to have it short. If you’ve never been to a horse race, how would you know which way to go? Just follow the instructions given to you by the bookmaker when placing your bet. If you’ve never laid a wager before, some bookmakers may even do the betting for you, depending on the type of bet you’ve placed. Most bookmakers will happily walk you through the process, step-by-step, of placing a bet, and they’ll have plenty of friendly staff on hand to help you, too.
What Is The Appeal Of Horse Racing?
There are many reasons why people may enjoy horse racing, but let’s discuss a few of them. First of all, it’s a great way for people who love the outdoors to spend a day. You may choose to spend a few hours at a time, outdoors, in the company of nature, breathing in the fresh air, and watching the horses run. This is something that many urbanites may not get the chance to do, not due to physical limitations, but because of the nature of their work. They may need to be in an air-conditioned office all day, coming in and out of town on business or visits to see family.
Similarly, many people may enjoy the mental stimulation of betting on a horse race. Gambling is legal in Australia, so you may feel completely relaxed in making wagers, knowing that you’re not breaking any laws. The excitement of betting and winning can also be a great way to end an evening, providing you’ve had some fun with your friends and family.
Speaking of family, we can’t leave out the fact that horse racing is a fantastic way for parents to spend time with their kids. You may choose to take your children – or the whole family, for that matter – to a horse race, and let them run around while you place your bets, or let them join in with the fun and excitement. After all, what’s the point of going to the park if you don’t allow the kids to run around and have some fun? The parents may enjoy a few glasses of wine while they wait for their children to return from the bathroom, with a clean face and dry mouth – the mark of a good parent.
Of course, there’s no point in going over all the reasons why you may enjoy horse racing. The main point is that there’s plenty to enjoy, and it’s a great way to spend your time if you live in Australia.
While we’re on the subject of time, let’s not neglect the subject of money. With the right credit card, you may be making a valid statement when you say that you “never spend money on drinks at a bar”. What you may not realize is that all that glitz and glamour put on by the bartenders and waitresses is actually costing you money. Did you know that the cost of a round of drinks at a bar averages around $12? If you add up all the costs involved in going to a bar, including the price of the drinks, you may end up spending more than you would for a single coffee, at a café, even if the drinks are included in the price. The cost of eating at a restaurant, especially one offering high-end cuisine, can also rack up, meaning that you could be wasting a lot of money, unwittingly, if you don’t watch out for unexpected costs such as these.
When Is The Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest annual sporting events in Australia, if not the world. It’s generally held in early autumn, around September or October, and it’s a great opportunity to catch some sun, before the weather gets really cold. The big day is always on New Year’s Day, so you may find that many bookmakers, businesses, and sporting establishments close down for the day, on New Year’s Day, meaning fewer people around to distract you from placing your wagers. This may also mean that some of the bigger races, including the Cup, may not have the best odds available.
The Melbourne Cup FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Melbourne Cup:
What Is The Difference Between The Melbourne Cup And Other Races?
The Melbourne Cup is an annual horse race, held in Australia, which stands for the Melbourne Cup Final. It’s one of the most famous and prestigious horse races in the world, and it’s widely popular throughout Australia, as well as in other parts of the world, too. The Melbourne Cup is usually held in early autumn, around September or October, which is when the weather is lovely and the days are long (great for outdoor activities!).