Melbourne Cup Has Lost Its Magic

Melbourne Cup Has Lost Its Magic

By Paul McCann

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Its a horse race called the Melbourne Cup.

The first Tuesday in November is the date that has been set .

It's the horse race that stops Australia .

It's that very same race when millions are laid out for a bet .

This year at Flemington ,

you'll find no punters jumping for joy as COVID came and got in the way.

No bookmakers to put up odds .

You can't hear a thing , there's no crowd roaring on Melbourne Cup day.

There are many runners and long shots.

Jockeys in their silks and owners with trainers left on their own.

Melbourne Cup has lost its magic.

No fashions today , no one to walk where the punters used to roam .

All the flowers are softly blooming .

Its a colourful show for the cup.

Somewhere in the barriers the horses are ready to go a giddy-up .

Jockeys are on their mounts and its on .

Lips quiver , all eyes are fixed for the race is about to start .

The barriers open, off they go.

Around the turn they come and the grandstand is as empty as a broken heart .

The front few race for the winning post .

The excitment has been, and the cups theres for the keeping . .

There are always the hard luck stories .

The magic is lost this year and  2020 is still sleeping .

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