Planning 'The Cup' in a pandemic

Despite two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Spanish Flu, the Melbourne Cup - the race that stops the nation - has never been stopped. But there was a moment back in March where it looked like Covid-19 would halt the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 160 years.

Today, the race will run with no crowds, no stilettos in the mud, no celebrities shoulder to shoulder in the Birdcage. Fashions On The Field will turn online as fashions in people’s front yards. No roar from the stadium full of people, just the sound of horses’ hooves and jockeys’ voices.

In this Briefing, you’ll find out how the race was saved and just how different it will be in this bizarre pandemic year. Our guests are VRC Executive General Manager of Customer Experience Caroline Ralphsmith and Emma Freedman.

In today's headlines:

• Polls narrow for Trump on election eve
• Johnny Depp loses court battle
• Australia Post CEO resigns after Cartier watch saga
• House prices rise ahead of anticipated rate cut

Follow The Briefing

Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast
Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU
Twitter: @TheBriefingAU

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.