Today (Tuesday 2 November) is Melbourne Cup day - the race that stops a nation. At 3.10 this afternoon the whole of Australia will come to a halt to watch the race. Everyone in the office here is running around, organising sweeps, unloading food and wine and generally preparing for this afternoon’s party.
And I’ve been told that I just drew one of the favourites in the office sweep! 
I’m staying home and drinking beer. Lots. And flash Cicero has plunged heavily on an outsider.
Having got lucky with Savabeel in the Cox Plate, I’m putting my cash on Anglo-Irish raider Distinction today. Unfortunately, so it seems is half of Hong Kong, and that combined with our government’s take means that the odds are about half as good as they are in Oz.
30 minutes to the off.
To add to the first horse that I drew (Makybe Diva), I’ve now drawn another of the favourites (Vinnie Roe) in a second sweep. I’d better win something!
I got first and second !! 
So my $4 stake was turned into $40 - a 900% profit. Not bad!
I won a bit in doubles on Makybe Diva who I had tipped since the Caulfield Cup. I tried to have first fours and trifectas on my TAB account - Makybe Diva to win from Grey Song, Elvestroem, Zazzman and Vinnie Roe. Unfortunately the TAB system became unavailable for internet and phone betting and I didn’t get on. It cost me about $40,000. Not surprisingly I am far from happy.