I was initially put off watching this movie by the listing of Nicole Kidman as one of the stars. She plays 'Catherine' which in fact is a relatively minor part. The low rating at a guess may be due to fans expecting to see more of her! Based loosely on the story of the first Melbourne Cup winner, this is suitable fare for viewers of all ages. Kids will love the horses and entertaining story, with capture by bushrangers and the meeting of many unusual characters.For those outside Oz, the Melbourne Cup is Australia's biggest horse race, held on the first Tuesday of November, when the entire country comes to a halt. 'Bushrangers' are the equivalent of the Old West's outlaws.So, if you're a Nichole Kidman fan, don't expect to find much of her in this movie. If you'd like an entertaining story of Australia in the mid-19th Century, with excitement and humour, played by an excellent cast of actors, you're sure to find this movie worth viewing.

17 starters lined up for the first Cup. Before they could be got away, the mare Twilight, bolted and galloped a full circuit of the course before she could be captured. Despite this she was allowed to take her place in the field. The start was good, with Flatcatcher the first to show out from Archer. As the runners entered the straight for the first time Medora fell, bringing down Dispatch and the unfortunate Twilight. Twilight was immediately up on her feet and bolted off the course. Medora and dispatch were fatally injured. Meanwhile, Archer had raced to the front at the river turn. He held his lead comfortably to the straight entrance where he was three lengths clear of Antonelli, with Mormon, Prince and Toryboy in a bunch behind the second runner. In the run home Archer cleared right away to win as he liked from Mormon who finished well, with Prince third and Antonelli fourth. The time was 3m 42s. No Melbourne Cup has ever taken longer to run. While this movie suggests that Archer walked to the 1st Melbourne Cup from Sydney, all evidence suggests that he actually went by boat. As a result this movie is completely redundant. Nevertheless, it is the greatest story and greatest movie of our time. Archer won the next year as well.