The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s most prestigious horse racing events, and is one of the most watched sporting events in the country. It is held at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November every year, and has been running since 1861. The race is 3200 meters long and is open to three-year-old horses and over, with a minimum handicap weight of 50kg. Many horses have won the Melbourne Cup over the years, but there is one barrier that has never been victorious – the outside barrier.
What is the Outside Barrier?
The outside barrier is the last stall in the starting gate and is the furthest away from the finish line. It is generally seen as a disadvantageous position as the horse has to start furthest away from the other runners and has the longest distance to cover. This means that the horse has to expend more energy in the early stages of the race in order to catch up with the other runners.
Why Has the Outside Barrier Never Won a Melbourne Cup?
There are a number of reasons why the outside barrier has never won a Melbourne Cup. Firstly, the distance factor. As mentioned above, the outside barrier is the furthest away from the finish line, which means that the horse has to expend more energy in the early stages of the race in order to catch up with the other runners. This can be difficult for the horse to do in the short time of a race and can often result in them tiring before the finish line and not having enough energy to make up the difference.
Secondly, the track itself. The Flemington Racecourse is a left-handed track, which means that horses starting in the outside barrier have to go around a longer distance than those in the inside barriers. This further adds to the difficulty of making up ground, as the horses in the outside barrier have to cover more ground in a shorter period of time.
Finally, the fact that the outside barrier is the last one in the starting gate means that the horse has to move faster than the other horses in order to get into a good position in the race. This can be difficult as the horse has to move quickly enough to get out of the gate before the other horses, but not so quickly that it exhausts itself before the race even starts.
Historical Statistics
To illustrate just how difficult it is for the outside barrier to win a Melbourne Cup, here are some historical statistics. Since 1861, there have been a total of 143 Melbourne Cups run, and in all that time, the outside barrier has never won a race. In fact, the outside barrier has only ever managed to place twice in the entire history of the Melbourne Cup, with the last time being in 1993 when Cossack Warrior finished in third place.
The Pros and Cons of the Outside Barrier
Whilst the outside barrier can be seen as a disadvantage, there are some advantages to being in this position. For example, the outside barrier can provide the horse with a better view of the track, as they are further away from the other horses. This can help the horse to pick out the best route to the finish line and hopefully give it an edge over the other runners.
However, the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages of being in the outside barrier. As mentioned previously, the horse has to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time and is at a disadvantage compared to the horses in the inside barriers. In addition, the horse has to expend more energy in the early stages of the race in order to make up the difference, which can often result in the horse tiring before the finish line.
Strategies for the Outside Barrier
Despite the difficulties presented by the outside barrier, there are some strategies that can be employed in order to give the horse the best chance of success. Firstly, the jockey should be aware of the longer distance that the horse has to cover and should plan accordingly. This means that the jockey should look to conserve energy in the early stages of the race, as this will help the horse to stay fresh for the final stretch.
The jockey should also look to make use of the outside barrier’s better view of the track. This can be done by looking for openings in the inside lanes and attempting to cut across them, as this will help the horse to make up ground quickly. The jockey should also look to make use of the outside barrier’s momentum, as this can often help the horse to stay ahead of the pack.
Notable Races with the Outside Barrier
Whilst the outside barrier has never won a Melbourne Cup, there have been a number of notable races where horses starting in the outside barrier have put in strong performances. In 2006, Efficient finished second in the Melbourne Cup after starting from the outside barrier, and in 2008, Viewed finished third after starting from the same position.
In 2009, the outside barrier was the starting position of the eventual winner, Shocking, who went on to claim victory in the Melbourne Cup. However, this was due to the horse being moved to the inside barrier at the start of the race, and so this does not count as an official victory for the outside barrier.
The Future of the Outside Barrier
Whilst the outside barrier has never won a Melbourne Cup, there are some who believe that the barrier may yet be victorious in the future. With the introduction of new technology and strategies, as well as the increasing ability of jockeys and trainers to adapt to the changing conditions of a race, some believe that the outside barrier may yet have its day in the sun.
Conclusion
The outside barrier has never won a Melbourne Cup in its long history, and the challenge of this barrier is considered to be too great for most horses. However, with the introduction of new technology and strategies, as well as the increasing ability of jockeys and trainers to adapt to the changing conditions of a race, some believe that the outside barrier may yet have its day in the sun.