Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival at Aspire Hotel ~ Nov 5th 2013

Great Rates at Metro Apartments Bank Place for Melbourne Cup Carnival

Great Rates at Metro Apartments Bank Place for Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival is just around the corner, and Metro Apartments Bank Place in inner Melbourne is offering boutique apartment accommodation for the duration of the Carnival from just $185.00 (room only).  

Demand for accommodation in Melbourne during this period is high, so visitors to the city are advised to book now to avoid disappointment.

A minimum two night stay applies to Derby Day on Saturday 2 November and Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5th November, and WIFI is complimentary for the duration of the Carnival period – November 2 - 9, 2013.

Metro Apartments on Bank Place offers inner city apartment style accommodation that lives up to the city’s European charm. Tucked away down an atmospheric cobbled laneway, the surrounding heritage-listed piazza introduces you to Melbourne’s charming lanes and city precinct with its range of cafes, restaurants and enticing shopping. 

Bustling by day and alive with al fresco dining by night, Bank Place is situated a short stroll away from all of Melbourne’s sought after attractions: Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, Southgate Centre and Crown Casino. Hop on one of Melbourne’s famous trams to spend the day at the MCG or the National Gallery of Victoria, and take in a show at the Victorian Arts Centre – only a short ride away by taxi or tram. 

The property offers 46 apartments, a choice of either studio or one-bedroom suites, as well as a split level, two bedroom penthouse. All suites include a kitchenette and laundry facilities.

View Metro Apartments on Bank Place

View this Press Release and more and Metro Hotels News

2013 Melbourne Cup at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Attend the 2013 Melbourne Cup at Metro Hotel Ipswich International – the best venue in Ipswich to enjoy the race that stops the country!

$75.00 per person

Complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival

• Raffles & Sweepstakes

• Watch the race live on the Big Screen

• Fashions on the Field Competition

Location: 43 South Street (Cnr Foote Lane) Ipswich Qld 4305

- Cash bar facilities will be available on the day -

BOOK TODAY: Kimberley (07) 3812 – 8077

Or email: EventsIpswich@MetroHG.com

www.MetroHotels.com.au

See below for menu:

Fashions on the Field Competition

9 Interesting Facts About Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's premier horse race, established since 1861 and held every year on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it has become a national tradition in Australia.

9 Interesting Facts About Melbourne Cup 

Peter St. Albans

1. The youngest jockey to win Melbourne Cup was Peter St. Albans on Briseis in 1876 - who was only 12 years old!





2. In 1915, the first woman owner to win was Mrs E.A. Widdis with Patrobas. First female jockey to ride in the cup was Maree Lyndon on Argonaut Style in 1987.

3. During WWII between 1942 and 1944, the race day was changed to Saturdays.

Jean Shrimpton 1965

4. Fashion on the Field begun in 1962 to attract more women attendees to the cup. British supermodel Jean Shrimpton made headlines in Australia and around the world when she rocked up to Melbourne Cup in 1965 in a sleeveless dress with a hemline four inches above the knee and a man's watch - which shocked race goers and caused a fashion furore worldwide.



5. In 1861, the winner of Melbourne Cup - a horse named Archer - walked all the way to Melbourne from his stables in Nowra, NSW!

6. Criminals tried to shoot Phar Lap on the morning of Saturday 1 November 1930 after he had finished track work. Luckily for Phar Lap, they missed.

7. Forensic investigation conducted by Dr. Ivan Kempson and Dermot Henry, found that Phar Lap had ingested a massive dose of arsenic 30-40 hours before his death, adding to the speculation that the champion horse was poisoned to death by gangsters.

Phar Lap

8. When trainer Harry Telford and owner David J. Davis saw Phar Lap for the first time, the horse was gangly, face covered with warts, and had an awkward gait. Davis was furious when he saw the colt, and refused to pay to train the horse. Telford at the time had not been a successful trainer, and Davis was one of his few remaining owners. As a compromise for the poor form of the colt, Telford agreed to train the horse for free, in exchange for a two-thirds share of any winnings.


9. The only horse to have won three Melbourne Cups - consecutively in a row - is Makybe Diva.


To celebrate this year's Melbourne Cup race day, Metro Apartments on Bank Place Melbourne is having this special for travelers coming to stay for the race!

Melbourne Cup Accommodation Packages - Choose either a...

Studio Room for $250.00 per room, per night (including free Wi-Fi)
OR
One Bedroom Apartments at:

• Friday - Saturday* - $300.00 per room, per night  (including free Wi-Fi)
• Sunday - $280.00 per room, per night                   (including free Wi-Fi)
• Monday - Tuesday*  $300.00 per room, per night (including free Wi-Fi)

For details and to book online: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/320
Or call: +61 3 9604 4321
Location: 18 Bank Place, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia - only 14 minutes by car or taxi to the Flemington Racecourse!

Ipswich Events: Crowds Enjoy Cup Day at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Crowds Enjoy Cup Day at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

IPSWICH was party central on Melbourne Cup day yesterday, with the city's major venues turning on a day to remember for race fans.

The reaction of North Booval's Tracey Mullin in Brothers Leagues Club was a giveaway that she had won big on Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup. How much she won was a morsel of information Ms Mullin wasn't prepared to share.

Enjoying the Melbourne Cup lunch at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International are (from left) Katrina Johnson, of Deebing Heights, Alex Mackey, of Burbank, and Emily Wonka.

"I won last year fairly big and someone stole the money from me, so I'm going to keep how much I won to myself," she grinned.

"It is the only time of the year that I bet. The dresses are fantastic and the atmosphere is fantastic. Everyone is here for a good time.

"I've had a ball ... great company and great food."

Ms Mullin said she sensed there was less money being bet by patrons this year.

"I think people are betting less this year. They are a bit more conservative this year and maybe a bit unsure," she said.

Friends Virginia Fenwick and Duane Cleary were both also celebrating cup wins on Dunaden at Brothers Leagues Club when the QT visited.

Mr Cleary was celebrating a 100% record for the day.

"I only bought one ticket ... and I won," he said.

"Now we'll go and see how much I've won. It is all about having a bit of fun."

Ms Fenwick said she didn't have time to study the form but liked the look of number three (Dunaden).

With a few tickets in her hand it looked as though she was set for a few more handy wins on a day she had marked down on the calendar.

"Melbourne Cup, everyone stops for it. I'm having a great day," she said.

Dunaden's jockey, Christophe Lemaire, had arrived in Australia 24 hours before the race after Craig Williams lost an appeal to keep the ride.

He shed tears when judges told him the verdict.

"It's incredible - it's a great moment for me," Lemaire said.

"I was a bit anxious. I knew it was very close.

"I feel very sorry for Craig. He's a good friend of mine."

Dunaden edged out England's Red Cadeaux by the smallest margin in the $6.2 million race.

It was the closest finish in the 151-year history of the race, with German horse Lucas Cranach completing an international trifecta. Americain, the 2010 winner, started favourite and finished fourth.

Crowds Enjoy Cup Day at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Paradiso Cafe Sydney: Melbourne Cup Luncheon - Paradiso Café

With less than a week away from the Melbourne Cup and Paradiso Café have a great offer in place for the event when you book your Melbourne Cup Lunch at Paradiso Café.

Bookings essential, please call (02) 9264 4111

Paradiso Cafe Sydney: Melbourne Cup Luncheon - Paradiso Café

Glam Up For Cup - Metro Hotel Ipswich International Melbourne Cup Fashion Glipse

THE Metro Hotel Ipswich International might be two states away from Flemington Racecourse but that won't stop them dressing for the occasion.

As part of the Metro's annual Melbourne Cup celebrations, the hotel will be running a fashion parade with clothes from Ipswich store House of Amy.

The event, which is already sold out, will be raising money for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation.

Metro Hotel guest relations manager Fran Edney said the hotel's Melbourne Cup lunch was becoming a tradition for some locals.

"This is the third year we've held it and the second we've sold out, but this time we've sold out much earlier than before," she said.

"People just love it though.

"It always gets a really good rap."

While this year's event won't have the popular guinea pig races of last year, Ms Edney promised some other entertainment that was still under wraps.

"We'll have some great entertainment, not everything has been decided yet but there are some big plans."

Even though fashion parades have always been part of the Metro's Melbourne Cup festivities, this is the first year they've showed off the clothes of House of Amy.

"I went in there and just fell in love with everything," Ms Edney said.

House of Amy owner Amy Winks is an award-winning designer and studied in Paris on a scholarship from the Australian Student Awards.

The parade will be showing some of the store's latest fashions, including '60s-inspired skirts, tassels and the many hats and fascinators stocked.

The festivities will kick off at noon and run until 3pm on Tuesday November 1.

The Metro Hotel Ipswich International is far from the only venue hosting an event, with celebrations occurring throughout Ipswich.

The Ipswich RSL Services Club will be hosting a smorgasbord along with food and entertainment, while Brothers Leagues Club will be hosting a luncheon with prizes and entertainment as will the Ipswich Golf Club.

The Ipswich Turf Club will host a gourmet buffet with big screens to watch the race, while Jets Leagues Club will host a burlesque show along with a multi-course meal.

Glory of the Cup

- With a prize packet of $6 million, the Melbourne Cup is one of the richest horse races in the world.
- Last year Americain became the first French-trained horse to win the Cup in the race's 150th year.
- Despite an influx of foreign trained horses, Australian trained horses have won five of the past 10 Cups, with Makybe Diva winning three straight.