The world now lives in tougher times but the entry numbers for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups have remained strong for 2020.
COVID-19 has cast a shadow on whether the great races will be run behind without crowds but the entries for both events are up on 2019 levels.
Trainers have entered 177 horses for the Caulfield Cup, a rise of 24 on last year while the Melbourne Cup nominations have jumped from 152 to 174.
Each year, there are plenty of horses that are nominated for the big race. But ultimately, only 24 horses will take on the Flemington track in 'the race that stops the nation'. WHAT IS THE PRIZE. Race horse dies following 2020 Melbourne Cup. Duration: 01:27 3/11/2020. A pre-race favourite has died after breaking down at the Melbourne Cup.
Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter noted there were 29 individual Group I winners in the Caulfield Cup entries and 25 in the Melbourne Cup.
International stables have entered 34 horses for the Caulfield Cup and 30 for the Melbourne Cup.
Four horses among the remaining 42 vying for the 24 spots in the Melbourne Cup field have been the subjects of veterinary scrutiny. Defending Cup titleholder Cross Counter and 2018 runner-up Marmelo, along with Ispolini and Southern France have undergone tests.
Irish trainers Aidan and Joseph O'Brien dominate the international entries. The pair accounts for 20 of the Caulfield Cup nominations and 16 of the Melbourne Cup contingent.
Joseph O'Brien went close to winning last year with Master Of Reality and the 2017 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer has nominated the stayer for another crack this year.
Twilight Payment and Buckhurst are also among the young trainer's Melbourne Cup possibilities.
Aidan O'Brien will again chase his first Melbourne Cup in 2020.
The Irish master has entered 2019 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck and the last two Irish Derby winners Sovereign and Santiago for the $8 million event.
Local trainer Danny O'Brien has entered last year's Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare, the South Australian Derby winner Russian Camelot and the VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound for the 2020 Cup.
Racenet has the full list of 2020 Melbourne Cup nominations as well as the full list of entries for the 2020 Caulfield Cup.
Weights for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup will be released on September 8.
The race that stops the nation reached a thrilling conclusion as punters around Australia yelled at TV screens, cheering their horses on..
The race that stops the nation reached a thrilling conclusion as punters around Australia yelled at TV screens, cheering their horses on.
Many feared the worst for Rostropovich last year.Source:Supplied
There was an eerie silence at Flemington today for the Melbourne Cup with crowds banished due to Covid restrictions.
However, it was not just the pandemic that threatened to dampen the biggest day in the racing calendar.
Anti horseracing protests were expected again on Australia's biggest racing day, spurred by the deaths of six horses on Cup day since 2013.
That number has now hit seven after Anthony Van Dyck was euthanised after breaking down in the race.
It was loaded into an ambulance at the track.
The horse was one of the favourites heading into the race but went lame on the home straight.
There were no deaths in last year's race although all eyes were firmly fixed on a horse called Rostropovich that was trailing far behind the rest of the pack.
Many feared the worst for Rostropovich last year.Source:Supplied
It was later confirmed he suffered a stress fracture to his pelvis and many feared the worst after a grim run of deaths in recent years.
Thankfully, Rostropovich made a full recovery.
Still, animal welfare group PETA lashed out after the injury, saying the incident was indicative of the cruelty horses suffer in racing.
'Rostropovich is the latest in a long line of horses who have been seriously injured or killed during the disgrace that stops the nation — the Melbourne Cup,' PETA's statement read.
'The reality of the abusive racing industry is that horses are made to run to the detriment of their health. These 500-kilogram animals — supported on ankles as small as those of humans — are pushed past their limits, forced to race at breakneck speeds while being whipped.'
Rostropovich's co-trainer Tom Dabernig told Racing.com he wasn't aware of the impending backlash when his horse pulled up last year, with his first thoughts to provide immediate comfort to the horse.
What wonderful and caring staff we have in our industry - Rostropovich's strapper Alice took herself to visit him at Werribee in the busiest week of the year. He continues to make excellent progress. pic.twitter.com/GnU1Y9gwdl
— Lindsay Park Racing (@lindsayparkrace) November 6, 2019However, there was a big reaction on social media, with the hashtag #NupToTheCup quickly trending. Fantasy sports betting league.
Two years ago the Cup was rocked by the death of Cliffsofmoher — who was euthanised in front of the grandstand crowd after the horse broke its shoulder.
That followed these deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:
In 2013, Verema was euthanised after snapping a bone in her leg.
How Many Horses Can Race In The Melbourne Cup
Thankfully, Rostropovich made a full recovery.
Still, animal welfare group PETA lashed out after the injury, saying the incident was indicative of the cruelty horses suffer in racing.
'Rostropovich is the latest in a long line of horses who have been seriously injured or killed during the disgrace that stops the nation — the Melbourne Cup,' PETA's statement read.
'The reality of the abusive racing industry is that horses are made to run to the detriment of their health. These 500-kilogram animals — supported on ankles as small as those of humans — are pushed past their limits, forced to race at breakneck speeds while being whipped.'
Rostropovich's co-trainer Tom Dabernig told Racing.com he wasn't aware of the impending backlash when his horse pulled up last year, with his first thoughts to provide immediate comfort to the horse.
What wonderful and caring staff we have in our industry - Rostropovich's strapper Alice took herself to visit him at Werribee in the busiest week of the year. He continues to make excellent progress. pic.twitter.com/GnU1Y9gwdl
— Lindsay Park Racing (@lindsayparkrace) November 6, 2019However, there was a big reaction on social media, with the hashtag #NupToTheCup quickly trending. Fantasy sports betting league.
Two years ago the Cup was rocked by the death of Cliffsofmoher — who was euthanised in front of the grandstand crowd after the horse broke its shoulder.
That followed these deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:
In 2013, Verema was euthanised after snapping a bone in her leg.
How Many Horses Can Race In The Melbourne Cup
In 2014, Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall after a race and Araldo broke a leg and was euthanised.
In 2015, Red Cadeaux broke his left foreleg, was rushed to the vet for surgery and was euthanised some days later.
In 2016, Regal Monarch died after a dramatic mid-race fall.
Despite the deaths Melbourne Cup day remains one of Australia's biggest events.
How Many Horses Usually Run In The Melbourne Cup
Racing historian Dr Andrew Lemon told The Age, that after the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919, the Melbourne Cup rebounded with a massive surge in popularity as thousands flocked to Flemington, with some estimates of around 110,000 spectators to watch Artilleryman win in 'record time'.