A huge crowd are here but all they want to do is eat and drink. There are heaps of Victorian wineries and eateries offering samples. You can buy a tasting glass for $20 and spend the whole day boozing on the grazing trail.  Such a shame that I’m only here for the horses! And when The Roulettes flew over I wondered what on earth is that about. Apparently it’s for the Grand Prix. I live a cocooned existence and didn’t even know that cars were racing on Super Saturday!

The Melbourne Cup horses have been spruiked in the press but you’d have to think that they are both lays. The distance is far too short for Red Cadeaux and Protectionist wasn’t at all settled two weeks ago at Caulfield. Red Cadeaux seems to be out of season with a clipped coat, but I love this horse. What a relentless stayer! Pings from the barrier and just keeps on going. He has to be Persian Punch reincarnated. Protectionist as predicted was simply too unsettled. I left the feature races alone. The three-year-old colt Brazen Beau was very relaxed in his stall. In fact so relaxed his old feller was hanging out! He won like a good horse.

In the end, four bets for three places. My best was Marianne, second in the mares at $3.70 and my worst was Samartested, a disappointing seventh in the three-year-old fillies. But nice to win on a big day.

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I have an invitation to the annual cocktail party at Headquarters. The invitation says it’s for one hour only before the first race, from 11.15 to 12.15. I set off nice and early to get me some of that free beer and arrive at 11.05. Imagine my shock to find 1000 hungry and thirsty members lined up at the gate before me! And it’s a lockout! The gates aren’t opened until about 11.17 and I don’t get in to the party until 11.40! Unreal! Are there any brains left at Headquarters? And the only reason I wanted to get there early was for the delicious egg and bacon rolls that we had last year. You can imagine my disappointment to find it was just humble party pies. So the club is saving on catering and saving on staff to open a gate. Times must be tough.

Only one bet for the day on the second horse in a six horse race. But often the place divvies in these sorts of races are outstanding. $3.90 is not too bad!

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