The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation, also divides Australians along gender, employment and state lines, according to a survey by TEG Insights, home to Australia’s largest consumer research panel of 1 million people.
The October Omnibus surveyed 1,000 people and found some fascinating trends about attitudes and habits ahead of Melbourne Cup day 2018 next Tuesday.
Spending
Australians will spend an average of $179 on Melbourne Cup day
- $88 betting
- $91 on entertainment, fashion and dining
10% of Australians will spend more than $300
Males on average will have a total spend of $70 more than women at the races
Males average spend of $132.82 compares to $62.82 by women
Betting
41% of those surveyed only place bets on the Melbourne Cup
Females (61%) were the most likely to only place bets on the Melbourne Cup
The top three bet types for the Melbourne Cup are:
Each Way (21%)
Place (20%)
Win (19%)
Melbourne Cup Activities
Based on the findings, 60% of Australians plan to participate in Melbourne Cup activities next Tuesday.
Females are more likely to celebrate by wearing fancy dress and attending group social events
Males are more likely to celebrate by watching and betting on the race from a pub, hotel or betting venue.
How do the States compare for Melbourne Cup celebrations?
NSW (26%) and Queensland (15%) residents are more likely to watch the race from a local hotel or pub
Victorian residents (30%) are more likely to attend a lunch function with friends and family
Northern Territory and Western Australia residents are mostly involved through office functions and sweepstakes
Melbourne Cup in the Workplace
40% of white collar workers would take an extended lunch break or half day from work
30% of white collar workers plan to participate in office sweepstakes
23% of Australians in blue collar jobs said their workplace did not recognise the celebrations
While Melbourne Cup is a public holiday for 94% of white and blue collar workers in Victoria, just over half (51%) of Australians surveyed across all other states were only allowed to take a standard lunch break.
