Illawarra Mercury

Three ways to have the best Melbourne Cup Day possible

Three ways to have the best Melbourne Cup Day possible
Three ways to have the best Melbourne Cup Day possible

This article was sponsored by Plan B Car Service.

They say Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation, but the festivities surrounding the actual race are an exciting frenzy of sparkling wine, glamorous fashion and listening out for those awesome betting tips. It’s a spring race day of friends and frivolity, fascinators and fashion, some real fancy fun. 

But your best Melbourne Cup doesn’t happen without a little planning and prep. Putting some thought into what to wear, how to win big on the day and how to get home are crucial to enjoying your day. Here are three ways for guys and girls to have the best Melbourne Cup Day possible. 

1. What to wear

Spring can be a wonderful time – the gardens are in bloom, the winter is falling away and the sun is shining. But spring can also mean unpredictable weather including rain and cold snaps. The best way to dress for Melbourne Cup is to not commit to any one season. 

A suit jacket can be hot and constricting, so why not wear a stylish shirt instead?
A suit jacket can be hot and constricting, so why not wear a stylish shirt instead?

For the blokes, it’s easy to don the old high school suit in your cupboard and be done with it. But there’s no reason why you can’t put a twist on your look today – it’s Melbourne Cup Day; you can get away with it.

Black jeans paired with a collared shirt and a stylish pair of sunglasses can be a lowkey-handsome look – and avoiding the suit jacket is a great way to keep cool if it’s a hot day. Comfort is key. Avoid the bright coloured suits at all costs, but don’t be afraid to add an interesting tie or coloured shirt to your look instead. 

Weather can be unpredictable on race day, so consider adding a light jacket to your look
Weather can be unpredictable on race day, so consider adding a light jacket to your look

For women, dresses can be paired with matching cardigans (why not glam it up with a sequined one?), while skin-coloured stockings are a subtle way to stay warm while still showcasing your pins. If it gets too hot – just bin and forget. Strappy thin heels can be a nightmare on grass, so why not investigate some on-trend chunky wedges? Slimming and practical – the golden duo. 

2. How to get home

Just hand your keys over to a Plan B driver and let them cruise you home in your own car - no queueing, no expensive Ubers.
Just hand your keys over to a Plan B driver and let them cruise you home in your own car - no queueing, no expensive Ubers.

One of the hardest things about race day is getting home. Listening to the inane sound of the hold music as you wait for an eternity for a cab, or paying a 3x surge on your Uber and never seeing that money your friends ‘promise’ to chip in, can both be a real damper on your day. On a typical day you could probably beg, borrow or steal a lift home from a parent or friend, but everyone is drinking and celebrating Melbourne Cup Day. 

There is another way! Plan B Car Service offer a cheap and easy way to get a lift – using your own car.

Simply drive your own car to your big day and a Plan B driver will appear when you’re ready to leave to drop you (and your car!) home. Just picture it – you’re sunburnt and a little tipsy from your day, but you walk straight past the never-ending cab line to your own car, and get taken home in no time by a friendly, safe driver. 

Melbourne Cup is a busy day, so pre-book your ride home from Melbourne Cup now.

3. Who to tip

The Melbourne Cup Trifecta - it's not impossible!
The Melbourne Cup Trifecta - it's not impossible!

Picking the Melbourne Cup Trifecta (the top three) from 24 horses might not seem too difficult, but the possible amount of options is over 12,000. 

But Sportsbet say there is a Trifecta formula. It’s by no means a sure thing – as Ron Burgendy put it, “sixty percent of the time, it works every time” – but it’ll certainly increase your chances of winning. Consult your Melbourne Cup Form and include any runner who:

  1. Ran on the Saturday before the Cup
  2. Ran first four in this years Caulfield Cup and/or last years Melbourne Cup
  3. Has won over 2400 metres or more since May 
  4. Is an international visitor who has placed first, second or third at an equivalent grade in that country and is carrying 57 kilograms or less

But leave out any runner who doesn't qualify with any of the above and:

  1. Is carrying 59 kilograms or more (unless they're an absolute champion)
  2. Ran in a previous Melbourne Cup in any year but finished more than 4 lengths behind the winner
  3. Has failed to ever run a place in two or more starts at 3200 metres or beyond
  4. Is aged 8 years or more
Slip slop slap and save yourself from next-day embarrassment
Slip slop slap and save yourself from next-day embarrassment

Getting the most out of your Melbourne Cup can make all the difference to your experience on the day. Don’t forget some sunscreen – and have fun! 

This article was sponsored by Plan B Car Service.