Melbourne Cup frenzy: The 2016 race by numbers

It might be the race that stops the nation, but the Melbourne Cup certainly doesn’t put the brakes on spending.

Cup Day is a showcase for hats, luxury brands, good food and big bets. Want an idea of the scale? Here are some key metrics for the day:

Viewers and crowds 

• 5.6 million Australians are tipped to tune into the broadcast, according to Roy Morgan.
• For the first time, more viewers will be aged 50 and over; 55% will be aged 50+, compared with 46% a decade ago.
• $3.6 million in prize money on offer for the winner of the big race.
• 2:30pm – is when Twitter will launch an hour-long live stream sport event when it broadcasts the race and lead-up, in the first event of its kind in Australia.
• TAB is chasing its $100 million bets booked in just on the Melbourne Cup, hoping this will be the first year it cracks the 100.
• 70% is the chance the Bureau of Meteorology gives to rain in Victoria this afternoon.

Fortunes and fancy 

• Big Orange is receiving no shortage of support, including from executive chairman of the $10 billion Visy business (and red head) Anthony Pratt, who is backing the horse. Big Orange has earned $1.5 million in prize money and is currently sitting at $13 odds. 
• $AU310 million – the fortune of Big Orange owner and UK property mogul Bill Gredley.
• $20 billion – the estimated net worth of owner of race favourite Hartnell, Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohhamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
• $80,000 – one single bet on Australian horse Jameka to take out the trophy.
• $5.50 – current odds for Hartnell, which Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull seems to be happy with, having announced he’ll back the horse today.

I’m tipping Hartnell after the win at the Turnbull Stakes, and as the Member for Wentworth, I’ll also back Bondi Beach

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) October 31, 2016

• One – swimming pool, which will make its debut in the Birdcage this year at the Mumm marquee.
• $850 – the price of a bottle of Penfolds 2012 Grange, which Emirates has reportedly shipped three cases of to its marquee at Flemington today for guests to enjoy at 3:00pm.
• 64 – the years that Myer’s Fashions on the Field has been running.
• 15 – the years that the Men’s fashion category has been on offer at Flemington.
• 87% – the number of HR managers that expect one of their staff members will call in sick tomorrow. Experts tell SmartCompany that’s fine – just make sure you’ve got a certificate.