Page 104 - Majestic Vol1

International
Racing Programme

MELBOURNE CUP 澳大利亚墨尔本杯大奖赛

The thoroughbred event Down Under is 墨尔本杯大奖赛是澳大利亚最盛大瞩目的
the most prominent horseracing event in 速度赛马盛事，赛事举办期间，墨尔本大
Australia. Its horseracing days are usually 都会区都会把赛事日列为公众假期。墨尔
designated as public holidays for those from 本杯大奖赛始于1861年。当时的墨尔本
the state of Victoria and is a rite of passage 市虽然才建立20多年，可是随着经济快速
for many Australians from other cities. The 腾飞，当地人开始意识到城市文化建设的
Melbourne Cup began in 1861, just twenty- 重要性，因此在英国绅士文化的影响下，
odd years after the establishment of the city. 速度赛马运动开始在墨尔本悄然兴起，
As the young city's economy boomed in the 并形成一股主流，墨尔本杯大奖赛因而诞
decades that followed the city’s founding, 生。这项活动从1861年举办至今从未中
the settlers — influenced by the culture of 断过，即使在第一次世界大战、第二次世
Imperial Britain — brought in horseracing 界大战以及1930年全球经济大萧条期间也
events to build the city's culture and image. 持续举办。
The momentum behind this has never
faltered and this event has been unerringly 每年于11月期间在弗莱明顿赛马场举办
held every year, even during the challenging 的墨尔本杯速度赛马嘉年华，当中最引
years of the two World Wars as well as the 人瞩目的当属由阿联酋航空赞助的阿联
Great Depression in 1930s. 酋航空墨尔本杯。它不仅是全世界奖金
最高（总计超过620万澳元）的赛事之
Held in November every year at Flemington 一，冠军得主还会被颁予价值175,000澳
Racecourse, this Emirates Airlines-sponsored 元的18K金奖杯。
event attracts more than 100,000 spectators
annually and offers total cash prizes 墨尔本杯速度赛马嘉年华的另一重头好戏
amounting to AUD6.2 million, while the 是梅尔百货时尚奖。这项历史悠久的时尚
champion also wins an 18-carat gold trophy 比赛，公开于所有公众参加。被选为全场
worth AUD175,000. 最优秀装扮的男女优胜者，可赢走总奖金
超过400,000澳元。除此以外，赛马节期
'Fashion On The Field' is another major focus 间还有澳洲知名餐厅进驻，为宾客提供凸
of the event. The contest, with a similarly 显当地食材优点的美食以及来自澳洲顶级
long history, is open to all members of the 酒庄的佳酿。一百多年过去了，墨尔本杯
public. The best-dressed gentleman and 赛马节的精髓依然完好保存延续。这项赛
lady stands a chance for cash prizes of 事也因为大量海内外游客到来参与，而为
up to AUD400,000. Additionally, famous 墨尔本带来了巨大的经济效益。
restaurants across Australia go into overdrive,
serving up the best of cuisine and top brews
and vintages that the country offers. One
hundred years on, the spirit of Melbourne
Cup burns as brightly as it did in its nascent
years. As a must-do on any visitor’s itinerary,
this event has greatly contributed to the
city’s economy, too.

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