They’re off and racing and ahead by a nose at the first hurdle is … Dunaden, Barack Obama, or Glenn Stevens?

The heady juxtaposition of the Melbourne Cup, the RBA’s meeting and the final throes of the US election campaign makes it a very, very safe bet that today will break all race records for cliches and lame gags in the Australian media. What a trifecta of events!

Crikey has embraced the trend before the starting gates even open. Our very own Poll Bludger explains how Obama is coming home hard on a wet track — even if the crowds don’t fill the stands on polling day, he’s likely to win. Guy Rundle surveys the horseflesh on offer as the presidential campaign enters the home straight. Our commentators have placed their bets on the RBA cutting interest rates … tune in after the finish line to hear more.

You might think it’s time to call the stewards on the truly terrible racing gags. But we say, for one day a year, let’s gallop our way through all the lame reporting and appalling puns we can think of. Send the very worst example you find to Crikey‘s Tips and Rumours column and we’ll crown a winner tomorrow.

And if you’re tiring of racing while you’re still behind the barriers, don’t worry — you haven’t done your money.

Tomorrow we’ll ditch the Melbourne Cup and report on where the real action is … Americain.