Monday, October 31, 2011

Melbourne Cup 2011

This year Melbourne Cup 2011 will be run at 3.00pm on Tuesday, November 1, with more than $6M prize money.

First run in 1861 under the banner of the Victorian Turf Club and won by the Etienne de Mestre-trained Archer who beat the favourite Mormon by six lengths. The prize was 1420 pounds and the trophy a gold watch.
Last year's winner Americain will join an elite group of horses and will again be ridden by top international jockey Gerald Mosse.

Today the crowd and excitement are building at Flemington ahead of the running of the 151st Melbourne Cup. More than 100,000 people are expected at Flemington to watch the great race this afternoon.

And racegoers look likely to win a reprieve from the city's famously fickle weather with Flemington Racetrack to remain under cloud cover throughout Melbourne Cup day.

Weather bureau forecasts that the track would only cop a brief shower at worst and the temperature would reach a maximum of 19C. But hat-wearing racegoers will be relieved that windy weather is not expected.

Eager racegoers arrived at Flemington early, grabbing prime position beside the final straight. Ladies with hats and fascinators are streaming into the course, many carrying Eskies for the long day ahead or already heading to the bar.

Americain is the favourite and will attempt to win back to back Cups.

The Melbourne Cup 2011 Race Time In Each State varies considerably so make sure you check the list below to have yourself ready for the race that stops the nation.

Victorian Melbourne Cup Start Time - 3:00pm

New South Wales Melbourne Cup Start Time - 3:00pm

ACT Melbourne Cup Start Time - 3:00pm

Tasmania Melbourne Cup Start Time - 3:00pm

South Australia Melbourne Cup Start Time - 2:30pm

Queensland Melbourne Cup Start Time - 2pm

Northern Territory Melbourne Cup Start Time - 1:30pm

Western Australia Melbourne Cup Start Time - 12:00pm

Happy Melbourne Cup!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Thailand flood

Bangkok's central business district has so far avoided major flooding, but many of the areas nearby are chest- or waist-deep in water, forcing residents to flee their homes. The Thai government has set up more than 1,700 shelters across the country, where more than 113,000 people have taken refuge since flooding began in July after heavy monsoon rains.

More than 370 people have died, and charities working in the country have warned of the risk of water- and insect-borne diseases such as diarrhea, dengue fever and malaria in the coming days and weeks. Thai officials warned residents in the capital to be vigilant and expect disruptions with electricity and tap water.




UNICEF said it was providing 20,000 mosquito nets, and handing out 20,000 pamphlets explaining how to stay safe and healthy in flood-hit regions. The Red Cross said it had provided more than 130,000 relief kits, and 120,000 packs of bottled water, but representatives in Bangkok said they were concerned at the lack of food and drinking water in communities isolated by the floodwaters.

Overall damage from the floods could exceed $6 billion, the Thai Finance Ministry has said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged stores not to stockpile goods, amid concerns that panic buying was leading to a shortage of essential items.

Officials in the capital have warned residents to expect interruptions to electricity and tap water supplies. The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority said it had reduced the amount of tap water processed for residents from 900,000 to 400,000 cubic meters per day, because of high algae counts at one of its plants.

The prime minister said authorities would speed up the process of draining water into Bangkok's canals and into the sea, raising hopes that water levels in the city could start to sink. However, the government has warned it may take more than a month for the floods to recede.

Source: cnn.com