The Perth Cup - a big day out

New Year's day in Perth is characterised by the top social event of the year; up to 35,000 people descent on Ascot Racecourse for a day of eating, drinking and celebrating at the Perth Cup. Perth's premier thoroughbred racing event is usually hot - really hot, with the mercury usually exceeding 40 degrees Celsius throughout the day, keeping liquid refreshments up is paramount to staying hydrated.

First run in 1887 over a distance of 3200 metres (2 miles); the race is now run over 2400 metres, the fun starts before midday with racing starting mid morning and afternoon usually living up to expectations. Prize money for the Perth Cup is now $500,000; sponsored by BMW, the first major social event of the year is universally loved by all.

Some choose to dress in a glamorous manner, others just plain funny, the social event of the year features fashion shows watched by fashion wannabes and by the fashion tragic. I have friends living in the northern hemisphere who inform me the Christmas/new year break is about winter and snow, for me, I enjoy summer and Christmas and new year on a hot summer day can't be replaced.      

Talent Show, partly owned by Fremantle Docker star foward Hayden Ballantyne and Nick Suban, took out the 2013 Perth Cup in a thrilling win, listed as an emergency earlier in the week and starting as a rank outsider Talent Show stormed home. 

Horse racing is a fun activity for a day out, it all comes undone though when a horse is injured, a damaged or broken leg is normally resolved with a bullet to the head. I suppose I still support the industry with my attendance at such functions, however, there is no rehabilitation for the horse.

As we are now heading into December, the summer racing carnival will soon be in full swing with the 2014 Perth Cup a little over a month away - looking forward to another big New Year's day out in the sun.