Spring is in the air in Melbourne and every true Melbournian is putting the election behind them and turning their attention to the Spring Racing Carnival. For the uneducated amongst the readership, this is a collection of world class horse races culminating in the Melbourne Cup, the premier horse race in Australia.

The Green Man is normally completely disinterested in horse racing but, like most Melbournians, invests a few dollars on the cup. Selection of the horse is usually by such tried and true techniques as liking the sound of the name or the colours that the jockey is wearing. Usually, it is as good a method as actually looking at how good the horse is. Most are pretty good or they wouldn't make it into the race.

The race is always run on the first Tuesday in November, which is a public holiday in Melbourne specifically for this purpose. Those of the readership which their own private aircraft still have tons of time to organise to be here.

Visit www.melbournecup.com to find updates on the race, history and other things relating to this Melbourne preoccupation.