Reading Time: 4 Minutes
Howdy peeps, how’s everyone’s week going!
Yesterday in Oz, we just had the “race that stops a nation”, the annual Melbourne Cup.
Although a workday traditionally (except for our Melbournian cousins – who are bestowed a public holiday, (yes gambling is so in our blood, we need a mandated day off just to gamble)), everyone knows that you don’t do actual work on the first Tuesday of every November.
It would be un-Australian to do so.
Hmm you know, between you and me – this year I can’t help but feel a different vibe beneath it all.
I mean, in years past the day would go something like this:
Morning:
Arrive at work. Greet everyone excitedly as it’s the one day of the year we all turn into horse-racing experts.
“Number 17 – it’s my favourite number, he’s the one”.
“I like WhoShotTheBarman, because I would want to know who shot the barman”.
“That fella wearing a funny hat (you mean the jockey?) yeah, the jockey fella, I like the cut of his jib”.
Mid-Morning:
Participate in the office sweepstakes. Feeling confident that the horse you picked at 100-1 is a “shoo-in”. This is also when the more astute of us head to the local TAB (a form of legalized gambling den on every street corner) to place bets in person, to avoid the lunchtime/early afternoon rush.
Lunchtime:
Plenty of offices and workplaces around the nation stop working for the day now. Usually this is the time for the traditional Aussie Barbecue, the long boozy lunch and also when the ladies show off their hats.
Oh the hats! Rejoice ye hats! For one day out of three six five, you are brought out to the light!
Early afternoon:
We are now all sounding like bona fide punters after a day doing nothing but researching on horses.
“She’s a good mare but she’s drawn out wide with a heavier weight. I don’t fancy her last three outings. The wet also affects her performance as the last run in the Caulfield showed, I’m not sure… maybe one for the box trifecta”.
For those of us waiting to place bets at the TAB, the nervous and excited chatter in the queues makes us forget our original bet.
“I’ll… I’ll take a tenner on LA Lakers against the Rockets thanks… wait… what day is it today?”
255pm:
5 minutes to go until race-time! By now, NO ONE is working. Seriously, look around you and you’ll probably see this:
That’s right, you can cut the TENSION WITH A KNIFE.
3pm:
AND THEY’RE OFF.
Weirdly no one speaks for the first half, just murmurings to themselves:
“Ah shit, he’s gone out too fast”
“My horse is leading!”
“Get up you ffff”
“Did I leave the kettle on?”
305pm:
And with that, 5 minutes later – the race that stops a nation is over. Some people cheer, most people moan, but everyone has fun. Everyone starts talking to everyone else and no one is in a hurry to get back to work – in fact most people just finish for the day and either continue drinking, or head on home.
~~~
That’s usually how it is ain’t it?
This time round though, I couldn’t help but detect a different feeling in the air – walking around the office, on the streets, at the TAB – something which makes it feel not quite the same as yesteryears.
Maybe it’s all the doom and gloom we’ve been reading in the media recently, about political turmoil, stocks crashing and house prices plummeting?
Or maybe it’s the fact that it was pouring in Melbourne and the weather wasn’t so good in Sydney either?
Even more so perhaps I was feeling a bit off from the numerous Bulmers cider I was chugging down the entire day?
Hmmm, all true and valid, but I would like to propose another hypothesis.
Could it be that deep down in our sub-conscious, amidst the cheering and horse-researching and over-cooked pork fennel sausages – we KNOW that change is afoot.
There’s a storm brewing on the horizon, you know it, I know it.
We’ve had 27 years of continuous economic growth. A record among developing nations.
But each year feels a little bit harder doesn’t it? Feels a little bit more oomph is required to better the last.
That’s the general sense I got from this year’s Melbourne Cup.
The api-as-larry sense of carefree and euphoric mood, although still evident – is not as permeating as before.
Why do I say this?
Well between the morning hours and post race this year, not only was I working throughout the day, but my colleagues, my friends, my clients, in fact – MOST people were still working on this day.
An almost unheard of concept in years gone by.
What do you think? Do you think it’s tougher this year than prior? Or is it just… dare I say it… horses for courses?
What do you think? Did you enjoy this post? Please help me out if you enjoyed this and click on the little “subscribe” button at the top right and be a subscriber. This way, you’ll never miss my words of awesomeness! So do the right thing, be a subscriber and get it straight to your inbox fresh out of the oven!
P.S. Despite all this broodiness, managed to luck out and win $17 today!
P.S.S Say no to gambling, it’s dangerous for you. A coin told me this.
34 Comments
Annemarie LeBlanc
Whenever I hear “horse racing” the first thing that comes to my mind is the hats the ladies wear. Some are cute ones that really provide protection from the sun, while others are totally out of this world. Anyway, thank you for the interesting read today. I really enjoyed your writing style.
The Frugal Samurai
Haha yes, those hats! They surely are a spectacle, although I think protection from the sun is very much down the list of priorities! Thank you for reading, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Rhian westbury
I’ve been to horse races before and it’s such a lot of build up for just a few minutes of actual racing. Wow those hats are absolutely insane x
The Frugal Samurai
I know right! Feels more like an excuse to get drunk during daylight hours methinks! Great fun to be had and yes those hats! Thanks for reading.
Phill Slater
They moved the Derby (the closest we have to the Melbourne Cup) to a Saturday in the UK a few years back. In part for the same reasons you allude to in Australia.
The Frugal Samurai
Hm wouldn’t have the same feeling though on a Saturday, I mean imagine having a TUESDAY off work, something to tie you over the typical work week aye! Thanks for reading (btw Derby day looks pretty awesome).
Hugzy
You… you are scarying me
*pulls blanket up to just below my gnose :0|
*pulls blanket down to reveal my mouth
Ps won $400 on cup day. 3 years in a row… should publish my own MacBank Analysees next year
*pulls blanket back up to just below the gnose
The Frugal Samurai
Are you a mole-rat sir, such is the frequency of up and down motions… btw $400 is amazing, my friend Light Beam and Bazer have a betting pool, they do really well each year also.
Ruth
I’ve never been to a horse race before. It never really seemed like anything I’d enjoy. I enjoyed reading this though, was really interesting 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for reading! You should go one day, it’s a great day out 🙂
Michelle Maraj
I love the race day hats for the Melbourne Cup, they’re so much fun! It’s phenomenal that an entire country is so invested in the race, your itinerary is great!
The Frugal Samurai
I know right! I think it means us as a nation are a bunch of degenerate gambling drunks haha, thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it!
Echo
I have never been to a horse race and I don’t think the races we have here are a call for a day off. I mean, we have the Kentucky Derby, but I think that is the only big one.
The Frugal Samurai
It’s lots of fun! An excuse to drink during daylight hours without society judging you haha, thanks for reading!
Laura Dove
I’ve never been to a horse racing event before but it looks like a lot of fun! I think it woudl be fab to do ladies day and wear one of those crazy hats!
The Frugal Samurai
I think you should do it, it’s really all about the ladies and their hats… actually just their hats! Thanks for reading.
Monidipa Dutta
When my dad was there I used to take him to these races because I don’t like going alone. Now I don’t… This mare reminded me of one of my friend’s horse. Its name was Shola and it was pitch black. It loved me a lot though.
The Frugal Samurai
I’m glad it brought back fond memories, what happened to Shola? Yeah, race days can be pretty wild! Thanks for reading.
Bonnie Benoit
Seems as though rain has been hitting all parts of the globe in the last few days. Although I doubt that would cause anyone to miss out on the amazing horse races and being able to have some fun with others instead of working.
The Frugal Samurai
Global warming maybe? But yeah nothing stops race day, certainly not some moisture in the air! Anything is better than working right? Thanks for reading!
Dalene Ekirapa
Horse racing is definitely one to stop a cup! I absolutely love horse back riding so for sure, I can relate to the ecstatic feeling you have. I can’t wait for this year’s horse race to take place here.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh nice one! You were actually RIDING the horses! Good for you, very jelly – it looks very fun, not to mention difficult! Hope you enjoy this year’s races!
Ladonna Batiste
I really enjoyed reading your post. It was very interesting and it reminded me of when I use to go to the horse races with my ex. I had so much fun there. The ladies at your race really showed us how to go all the way with wearing their hats. They were amazing.
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah, the ladies at races are really into their hats aren’t they! It’s crazy fun on race day, should go again – even with your friends!
Aditi
That sounds like a cool, fun event. Love how your office colleagues join in the sweepstakes.
The Frugal Samurai
Haha yes, we are fortunate to be having it every year! Thanks for reading.
Rosey
It sounds fun. There used to be horse racing in our town. They stopped doing it. It was smaller scale, but still fun. 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
Hey why’d they stop doing it! It IS fun, bring it back!
Aareeba
I have never been to a horse race but it’s something we would like to experience once in life.
The Frugal Samurai
You should go! It’s definitely a fun day out, even if you go by yourself! Thanks for reading.
Becca Wilson
I really have no clue of even what to think. I have never seen or been to a horse race like this but it seems like it would be so fun.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes it is! But mind you, it’s an annual event and one of the biggest in the global racing calendar, us Aussies – we get a DAY OFF because of it, on a Tuesday no less! That’s the size of the race day. Can you imagine the fun! Thanks for reading.
Kaitlynn
I don’t follow any sports but this was interesting to read. It sounds like a fun event that brings a lot of people together! It’s great that so many people can enjoy this all at once.
The Frugal Samurai
For sure – it’s not really a “sport” though is it! I mean, betting on horses running around in circles – the only sweat you’re working up is the jumping up and down cheering as your horse comes… 2nd last…