As the weather goes from cloudy and cold to sunny and cold, outdoor activities are once again a weekend option for outgoing Australians.
However, in the case of Betoota Heights native Damien Mortimer, he’d be happy to see the weekends come and go to bring him closer to his coveted day out, The Melbourne Cup.
“It’s gonna be huge mate!” he says.
A cultural hub, Victoria gives citizens a day off each November to observe the spectacle of encouraged gambling and animal cruelty that stops the nation with its brilliant displays of middle class debauchery.
However, Queenslanders don’t get the day off, even though they should, because no one goes to work.
Mortimer has taken it a step further by using his annual leave day for three days following the cup.
“And I’m gonna need it mate! I’m gonna have some serious bag sweats if I know what’s good for me!”
Drug use and tentative plans to iron a shirt are not the only plans Mortimer is looking excitedly forward to. For the past month he has been preparing his bank account for the betting he plans to do on the big day.
Despite not knowing anything about horse racing, Mortimer is confident in the betting advice he has received from his gambling apps and websites.
“Office sweeps, housemate sweeps, a couple of bets on my apps and then I was thinking maybe just one lucky dip. Last year I won $80 so I finished only $1,120 down.”
The excitement of the event looming over Mortimer we asked him what he will be looking forward to in the aftermath of the race.
“Bring on Melbourne Cup 2020!” he joked, before becoming serious.
“I’m gonna hit General Admission at the Betoota Race Track for every meet this Spring Carnival”
“But hopefully there’s a good UFC match with Conor McGregor before then.”
