The Melbourne Cup on BTN

We are going to learn about an Australian celebration which happens every year – The Melbourne Cup.  Next we will learn about a very special horse who won many of the early Melbourne Cup races – and who was loved and known by most Australians.  He was Phar Lap!

Click on the link to watch the BTN Video about the Melbourne Cup – how it started and why it is such an important celebration in Australia.

QUESTIONS to think about while you watch:

  1. What famous horse names did you hear?
  2. Why did people decide to start racing horses?
  3. What else besides the horses has become important at the Melbourne Cup?
  4. Where is this race held?
  5. Why is it called “the race that stops a nation”?
  6. In which state is this day a public holiday?
  7. How many people go to the racecourse for the race?
  8. How many people watch the race on television?

Let’s see how well you can listen and remember.  🙂

This links to a BTN Video talking about jockeys.  You will be doing some work on jockeys in your booklet, so listen carefully.