“Green Moon wore navy blue and white, Dunaden was yellow and before that, Americain fittingly wore red, white and blue,” Miles tells news.com.au
“There are a lot of people who get into the Melbourne Cup who have no interest in racing at other times – some might like the lucky numbers or colours or a great name, but horse racing is my business 24/7, and I do it in a very different way.”
Miles, who has cleverly called 32 Melbourne Cups, says the great race is anyone’s call, with so many fitting contenders who could take out the title on November 5.
“It’s such a good quality race that virtually any horse could win it,” Miles says.
“These days there are a lot of horses who have winning form, but one of the most important things is to find a horse that will run the two miles.
“That is so unique – so look for good trainer, good jockey and a horse that has shown some ability to run a long way.
“You will find a number cruncher somewhere who will say there is some correlation with the horse’s numbers but there’s no way it will help you find a winner - but that’s where it becomes interesting.
“For me it’s too early to know who my picks are but there is a strong team of international horses and it’s a very strong field.”
Miles says it is an honour to be the voice of the race that stops the nation – and admits that his whole year leads to those last few nail-biting seconds.
“I certainly feel the pressure because for a lot of people, that is the only time they will tune into a race, and my whole year comes down to those last 15 seconds,” he says.
“You are still want the words to come properly and be accurate and understood, and you want to do the race justice.
“The Melbourne Cup has changed a lot over the years but still has that great element to be able to touch the people, the common man – there is something very iconic and Australian about it, and people want to be involved and say ‘I had a bet in the Melbourne Cup’.
“It’s a huge day and it is quite a daunting thing to do because I call races every week but nothing like the monumental global audience that tunes into the Melbourne Cup.”
But while the rest of the country is frocking up and guzzling champagne to pick a winner at random, Miles says it is without a doubt the hardest day’s work for him all year.
“It is the hardest days work by a long way but what I love about the spring carnival is it has a binding effect on the community - everyone gets into that week and there is a common thread that brings everyone together,” he says.
“It gives the town a tremendous lift and Melbourne really comes alive.
“It becomes one big party and it’s a feel good time of the year, dressing up and going out to enjoy it – and one day I might be able to enjoy it too.”
