Why the winning post is the place to be during the Melbourne Cup

EVER wondered what it’s like at the winning post of the race that stops a nation? Get front and centre with Melbourne Cup punters on the Flemington lawn with Matt Windley.

Flemington Punters cheer home Almandin in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: AAP

THE winning post. 3.03pm.

You can’t move and it’s sprinkling with rain, but it’s still THE place to be.

They say it’s the race that stops the nation, but for the three and a half minutes that 24 horses vie for immortality around the famous course, the Cup isn’t even the race that completely stops Flemington.

At least the lawn anyway.

Suited up, frocked up, checking the phones and cheering them home. Picture: AP

Because the suited and frocked who have already battled their way through six races, collectively consumed enough liquid to end the driest of droughts and smoked enough cigarettes to shroud the city in smog on the clearest of mornings are struggling to maintain concentration.

It comes in waves, much like the weather.

A kilometre or so off in the distance the last of the horses is loaded in to the barriers as a slow clap emanates from the crowd.

There’s a token guy on the shoulders of one of his mates and there’s craning necks aplenty.

Then the roar.

It’s on.

Everybody is an expert as the pack makes its way up the straight the first time.

It wasn’t to be for Jamie Spencer on Big Orange. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A British bloke exclaims: “Get upfront and stay. This is exactly where we want to be. Come on Big Orange you sexy beast.”

You can’t win the race first time past the post, but that doesn’t stop another huge roar sounding as Excess Knowledge crosses in front.

Then there’s the lull.

You know there’s a race on, you can sort of make Greg Miles out over the din, but you can’t hear exactly where your horse is.

THE MELBOURNE CUP’S MOST TOUCHING MOMENT

Random chatter and laughter picks up as horses make their way around the back straight, others nervously twitch at the prospect of winning big bucks, while for others there’s big problems.

Like the birthday girl who needs to pee.

She’s contemplating her options while those around her focus on the race.

“It’s starting to rain,” another girl yells.

This could be a problem as the horses approach the final bend and hundreds of phones and cameras are raised in to the air to capture the winning moment, but no one seems to really care.

Thousands watched on from Flemington as Almandin and Heartbreak City went toe-to-toe for the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Jason Edwards

That is until someone dares put up an umbrella.

“Put that f***ing umbrella down,” comes the cry from further back.

You can tell the race is a classic, but just who the two horses are out in front remains a bit of a mystery in all the madness.

“Go Jameka” one punter cries, unaware she’s on her way to 15th.

“Who Shot Thebarman!” one bloke yells.

Nup, he’s fifth.

“I can’t see him,” our Big Orange-loving Pommy friend says, although he’s not on his own given the size of the crowd and the many more who have taken up spots on shoulders.

Then it’s over.

There’s a roar, but it’s not exaltation, more a quick “yeah!” before most have a quick check of a phone or betting slip before making their way for cover.

“Almandin has won, but there aren’t many winners on the lawn.” Picture: Ian Currie

Almandin has won, but there aren’t many winners on the lawn.

“For the Quaddie? Yeah I said it!” one guy says.

“No you didn’t!” his disappointed mate replies.

“I was going to put him in the trifecta, you told me not to,” is the lament from another group.

“I’ll be happy to be even,” one sober soul says.

Most would concur.

MELBOURNE CUP FINISHING ORDER