The Melbourne Cup is one of the oldest and most iconic horse races in the world. It is held annually on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has a long and proud history, and has become an important part of Australian culture and sport. The race is considered the pinnacle of the racing season in Victoria, and is watched by millions of Australians each year.
How Many Favourites Have Won the Melbourne Cup?
Since its inception in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has been won by many horses. But how many favourites have won the race? It is difficult to answer this question definitively as the term ‘favourite’ may mean different things to different people. However, there have been some horses that have been heavily backed by punters, and have gone on to win the race.
Historical Favourites and Winners of the Melbourne Cup
Carbine (1890): One of the biggest favourites in the history of the Melbourne Cup was Carbine, who won the race in 1890. Carbine was an undefeated champion and was backed by the public to win the Cup. He lived up to expectations, winning the race by six lengths.
Phar Lap (1930): Another famous favourite was Phar Lap, who won the Melbourne Cup in 1930. He was backed heavily by the public and despite being an outsider, he went on to win the race by two lengths.
Makybe Diva (2003, 2004 and 2005): Makybe Diva is the only horse to have won the Melbourne Cup three times, in 2003, 2004 and 2005. She was a heavy favourite in all three years and her wins were celebrated by Australians across the country.
Favourites That Did Not Win the Melbourne Cup
Though there have been many favourites that have gone on to win the Melbourne Cup, there have also been some that have not lived up to expectations.
Kingston Rule (1990): Kingston Rule was the favourite to win the 1990 Melbourne Cup, but he finished second after being overtaken in the final stages of the race.
Might and Power (1997): Might and Power was the favourite to win the 1997 Melbourne Cup, but he finished second after a determined effort from the eventual winner, Doriemus.
The Impact of Favourites Winning the Melbourne Cup
When favourites win the Melbourne Cup, it can have a huge impact on the racing industry. Favourites that win the Cup can become legends of the sport, and their wins are celebrated by racing fans around the world.
Favourites that fail to win the Cup can also have an impact, as their losses can be seen as a major upset and can cause shockwaves in the racing industry.
Impact of Favourites on Betting
Favourites are often heavily backed by punters, as they are seen as the most likely winner. As such, favourites can have a huge impact on betting markets, as they can often be backed at short odds.
When favourites win the Melbourne Cup, it can have a big impact on betting markets, as punters who have backed the favourite will be rewarded for their faith. On the other hand, when favourites fail to win the Cup, it can cause major losses for punters who have backed them.
Summary of Favourite Winners
To summarise, there have been many horses that have been heavily backed by punters and gone on to win the Melbourne Cup. Some of the most notable favourites that have won the Cup include Carbine (1890), Phar Lap (1930) and Makybe Diva (2003, 2004 and 2005).
However, there have also been some favourites that have failed to win the race, such as Kingston Rule (1990) and Might and Power (1997).
Impact of Favourites on Racing Industry
Favourites have a big impact on the racing industry, as their wins and losses can have a huge effect on the betting markets. Favourite wins can also be celebrated by racing fans around the world, while favourites that fail to win the Cup can lead to major losses for punters.
Conclusion
The Melbourne Cup is one of the most iconic and prestigious horse races in the world, and there have been many favourites that have gone on to win the race over the years. Favourites have a big impact on the racing industry, both when they win and when they fail to win the Cup. As such, favourites can be seen as an important part of the Melbourne Cup and the racing industry as a whole.