Melbourne Cup fun on and off the track

Whether you are near the racetrack or not next Tuesday, millions of people around the nation will be celebrating the biggest racing day of the year - Melbourne Cup day.

The race that stops the nation is the highlight on the racing calendar, attracting thousands of people to Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne every year, where some punters will try their luck with a gamble, while others will wager their bets in the fashion stakes.

Thousands of businesses around the country join in the racing festivities, holding parties and sweepstakes for employees to partake in a bit of the action.

While this day is about fun and celebrating first and foremost, safety should not be underestimated when it comes to organising your Melbourne Cup day commute to and from home.

If you are planning on attending a Melbourne Cup work party, plan ahead to ensure that you don't risk driving home with a few drinks under your belt.

It's no secret that drinking impairs your driving ability, endangering your life as well as other motorists, so if you plan on having a few, leave the car keys at home.

Have a chat to your colleagues before next Tuesday (November 6) and see if you can carpool together with those who live in your area, leaving a vehicle at work if there is no designated driver.

Alternatively, why not take public transport to work for the day? Buses, trains, trams and ferries are all options to get around on the day.

Whether you attend the races regularly and are familiar with having a punt, or Melbourne Cup is the only day you place a bet, safe gambling is something that everyone should keep in consideration.

You don't have to have a gambling problem to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to betting, especially on the most highly anticipated racing day of the year.

To ensure you don't leave yourself with a hole in your pocket that will leave you regretting your gamble for weeks, ask yourself how much you are happy to lose.

By doing this you will come up with a figure that you are happy to part with permanently, and if you win, it will be a bonus!

With this bit of forward thinking, you will be sure to enjoy the day, champagne, parties, sweeps, bets and more!