Concern for the welfare of horses is slowly overtaking glossy glamour shots as Australians look at the racing industry with fresh eyes
The risk of elevating a horse race from a niche sporting event to a national symbol is that, when the nation changes, so too must the event.
This is the challenge facing the organisers of the Melbourne Cup, who are torn between upholding the traditions of an inherently conservative sport and attempting to maintain their hold on the public consciousness despite pockets of outrage and a growing sense of indifference.