#MelbourneCup: the race that stops a nation

The #MelbourneCup is a race that stops a nation, while also making its presence well known on Twitter. Covering 3,200 metres in three or so minutes, fans are captivated by hooves on turf and show it with their thunderous applause on Twitter. The roar of the crowd at Flemington is amplified by fans around the country on Twitter.

While we’ve seen a spike in Tweets before the horses jump in the past few editions of the Melbourne Cup, the highest peak on Cup Day takes place when the winner passes the finishing post and enters equine immortality.

Last year saw 104,169 fans at Flemington witness Fiorente first past the post:

None of the 104,169 were more excited and shocked than Fiorente’s trainer Gai Waterhouse (@GaiWaterhouse1). It was Gai’s first #MelbourneCup victory, after years of travelling back to Sydney empty handed.

Certainly, the Prime Minister (@TonyAbbottMHR) was not shocked, having tipped the winner earlier in the day:

To help you discover the best content surrounding the #MelbourneCup, we’ve created a Twitter List of official accounts, jockeys, trainers and media outlets covering the big race.

You can also expect instant race replays from @TVNTVN.

@RacingInsider will provide behind the scenes access.

And @FlemingtonVRC will share all the fashion, fun and frivolity live from the track.

While the official industry accounts are great ones to follow, there will also be plenty of stars and celebrities on Twitter sharing their #MelbourneCup experiences with fans. Last year saw supermodels from around the world taking to Twitter while enjoying the race:

While the track is dominated by fashionistas in The Birdcage, form guides used as pretend whips and flutes of champagne in the sun, fans unable to be trackside will be on Twitter to follow all the action and share their #MelbourneCup moments. After all, it’s the race that stops a nation and is a public holiday in Melbourne. Gotta love sport!