by Sportsnet’s Roving Reporter – JayLo

I'm ready...but is Flemington ready for me???

I’m almost as embarrassed as I am excited to say I’ve been living in Melbourne for my entire, 28 year-long, life and have never attended the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. I’ve been to many other race days over the years, Derby, Oaks, Stakes – but never the jewel in the racing crown. The Cup itself It’s just so big, so important that I never thought I belonged there… not being a ‘thoroughbred’ race-goer throughout the year – The Cup seemed like it was reserved for the biggest enthusiasts of all, I didn’t deserve a place. But THIS year, I’ve earned my stripes. I’ve done my time at Caulfield, and Bendigo Cup – and I backed the winner of last years’ Melbourne Cup pocketing a sweet $500 on Americain (thanks to my mum being US born, love a good ‘omen’ bet)… so I deserve my place at the track for this year’s Cup. I’ve RSVP’d ‘no’ to 3 different BBQ Melbourne Cup invitations (… sorry guys, I’m going to be watching history in the making in person this year).

Since I decided to attend the biggest race day of the year – I involuntarily, indirectly also entered into weeks of deliberation and weather watching on the outfit, shoes and headpiece of choice. Should it be a feathery hat or a weather-proof hat? Should it be the in-season heels or the pumps that won’t sink into the grass turf? Should I ask my friends for their opinion on Facebook or trust my own gut. There’s no doubt that, as a twenty-something chick, around 15,000 people at the track will give me a quick once-over and offer a rate in their mind out of ten (… must get to yoga tonight) – but that’s all part of the excitement… must nail the preparation (repeat, and repeat again)!

So, here we are, the week leading up to The Cup is unreal – I’m hearing odds broadcast on every media imaginable… I’m hearing reports of horses arriving from around the world and there is a fever in the air. Even the weather-man knows how important this is to me by giving me my own Cup Day prediction. Yesterday I even heard a lady at Coles ask her more informed bloke “what do you mean Black Caviar isn’t in The Cup?”…. sprinter not a stayer apparently (?) – whatever… this is going to be Amazing.

Oh, it’s ON.

The Grand Final Parade was a perfect way to get into the spirit of the whole event – especially for someone who is a fair-weather supporter at best. I was born into a life of being a Carlton supporter and it’s an indoctrination that has a depth I only just realised last week when I decided I might change AFL teams. As I started weighing up the pros and cons of all the teams and had them all up for grabs in my brain I just couldn’t do it. I FEEL like a Blues supporter! It’s in me. As part of the Sportsnet special package to the AFL Grand Final, an exclusive event overlooking the parade is included. It was in the Martini Bar which is part of the Westin hotel and is PERFECTLY situated overlooking the corner of Swanston and Collins Streets- exactly in the path of the parade. Miraculously, after a very wet week (one day being the wettest in 56 years), the heavens CLOSED for the exact 2hr parade timeframe and tens of thousands of fans lined the Melbourne City streets to join in.

Me & Brad. That smile IS for real everyone!

We could weave our way down to the street any time we wanted, but the view from the balcony of the Martini bar was truly the best vantage point – not JUST because of the gorgeous food and endless drinks served by the super delightful staff.

Awesome view from Westin's Martini Bar

Sportsnet had arranged for Brad Johnson and Jason Johnson to join us and we had a chance to have a chat to them about being an AFL star and some of the questions from the crowd were hilarious!

Footy fans are certainly not shy of a bit of heckling of each other are they? People breaking out into debates about the good-lookingness (or not) of ‘ranga’ Cameron Ling. Cats fans ribbing Pies fans about an emotional Mick Malthouse….. I had a great chat to a few groups of people at the event – all who’d flown in from different locations to have an AFL experience. They were all completely over the moon that they had a few experiences lined up like a night at Moonee Valley (sorry guys – I did appreciate the earnest invitation but I couldn’t get there!), an official footy-club breakfast, shopping. One family were even here to tick off the Dad’s next bucket-list item (a grand final). They said they’d be back for a Bathurst experience and also the Gallipoli one.

Walking back to the car there was a real peace and happiness in the streets of Melbourne. The next day was gloomy and dark but some of us gals see that as a great opportunity to wear boots and a couple more layers than usual – a real Melbourne experience! As I’d mentioned in my last blog post, my father had insisted that I make sure I focus on the first bounce and completely soak that moment up so I did…… There was a countdown timer on the big screen … counting down to the first bounce. 5….4…. at this stage the crowd became completely animated, the roar was electric and friendly and excited and very very deep! 3….2….. the exhilaration reached its peak and as the countdown timer reached 1 the crowd went completely silent. The ball was bounced and the crowd roared again – this time it was a roar that did not stop for the whole game. It was awesome to have seats undercover because the weather was gloomy. The fantastic thing, though, is that you can go for a wander around the stadium and even walk right down to the very front row of seats to see if there are any free. We did this and had a great 2^nd row vantage point for about 10 minutes before the seats were reclaimed by their owners!!

As a Carlton supporter, I was certainly filled with Glee to see Collingwood lose to Geelong and I hope I can do it all again next year with my Blue Boys winning the flag.