Today is the THE DAY when the whole of Australia grinds to a halt at 3.00 pm Melbourne time for the BIG race at Flemington race course, known as the 'Melbourne Cup'.

Run every year on the first tuesday in November, the tradition is akin to the races at Ascot,UK, and begins the season of horse racing Down Under. The course is awash with hats, posh dresses,champagne, excitment, and all things that accompany the spending of big bucks on a flutter or two on the Gigi's.
I'm not a better, never have been,and in fact I don't even know how to place a bet at the betting shop. But a rather nice young man ( at the the TAB) showed me today how to do it!
DD - senior, got a hot 'tip' on a horse, from a friend, and needed a lift to bet on the chosen horse. As I drove her to the betting shop, I could feel the excitement in the air, and before I knew it was parting with $15 dollars on a sport I'd never even taken part in before! Hows that for living on the edge?

Now, I'm racing through all my chores so that at 12 pm, western time, I can put the tv on and watch the race as it starts.
Last year, the invited star celebrity to the races was Paris Hilton, an infamous filly and dubious fashionista, whereas this year its Carson Cressley from Queer Eye - celebrity heavy weight and makeover champion.
I'm all agog with excitment now!