The global financial crisis is set to leave its mark on Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival and on Australia's most expensive horse race.
This year, many high flying Australians who have been fixtures at the Cup will be absent from Flemington racetrack's prestigious marquee, the Birdcage.
Last year it was horse flu. This year it is the global credit crisis that could see much of corporate Australia absent from the Carnival.
The financial crisis has seen a lower number of overseas horses head to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.
