The Emirates Melbourne Cup

WHERE: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, AustraliaWHEN: November 6th, 2007

Australia comes to a standstill for the 145-year old social and cultural tradition that is the Melbourne Cup, run at 3:10 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every November. The four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival surrounding it is a fashion and gambling frenzy as everyone dresses to the nines and takes a flutter, many gathering at the sprawling Crown casino entertainment complex on the south bank of the Yarra River that flows through the city. 120,000 people attend the race itself, and there’s no better place to be than the Terrace Restaurant, an air-conditioned, glassed-in enclosure with each table positioned on one of six tiers elevated above the winning post, with views of the city skyline beyond. Order some bubbly and don’t stare too long at Nicole Kidman at the table next to you.

For more information: The Emirates Melbourne Cup