In Australia, what is reputed to be "the race that stops the nation"?

Annually on the first Tuesday of November, at approximately 3.00 pm, the Melbourne Cup horse race for thoroughbreds is staged at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. The race is open to three-year-olds and up. Held during the Spring racing carnival, both the Cox Plate and Derby precede the Cup followed by Oaks Day (or "ladies day") on the following Thursday.

The first race held in 1861 was at a length of two miles (3,220 meters) but since 1972 when Australia adopted the metric system, the race has been shortened to 3,200 meters.

Arguably it attracts the highest prize money for a horse race in the world. In 2019 this prize kitty is estimated at Aust$8,000,000.

The photo depicts the roses which grow abundantly for the event.

Not only will you see beauty in these thoroughbred horses but it is a day for women especially to dress up, parade their finery and, perhaps also win a prize for best dressed.