Australia gears up for racing feast: 02-10-2008
As the UK heads into autumn and winter not far away, travellers in Australia will soon be enjoying the festivities of Melbourne's 50-day spring racing carnival, which is set to begin this Saturday.
The event takes place despite the Australian horseracing industry being hit by an outbreak of equine influenza and Victorian racing minister Rob Hulls explained that he still expected it to be a huge success.
"Despite the challenges, equine influenza failed to take the shine off the carnival which last year delivered a gross economic benefit to Victoria of $541million," Mr Hulls said.
"Quite incredibly in the circumstances, this represents the second-highest economic result on record."
Travellers heading to the carnival had better get their glad rags on though, with the statistics showing how seriously the Australians take their racing fashion.
Over 40,000 pairs of shoes, 50,000 hats and 17,000 handbags were bought for last year's event and this year is set to be no different.
Racers will compete for the prestigious Melbourne and Caulfield cups among others with millions of pounds worth of prize money at stake.
In total there will be 85 race meetings during the carnival so travellers in Victoria will be spoilt for choice.
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