Australia's race "that stops a nation" is today in front of empty stands when the Melbourne Cup is run behind closed doors for the first time. But the track will be eerily quiet this year because of Covid-19 restrictions. Melbourne emerged from months of lockdown last week, but race organizers deemed it too soon for spectators. The Melbourne Cup has A$8 million (HK$43 million) at stake, and a third of the 24-strong field are overseas horses - mostly Irish and British. "Anthony Van Dyck will be hard to beat," said McEvoy, who has ridden three previous cup winners.

Source: The Standard November 02, 2020 19:07 UTC