The race that stops a nation starts online search trends

If the number of Google searches a horse gets is an indicator of our favourite for the Melbourne Cup, then “Americain” is racing ahead.

In yesterday’s search analysis of Melbourne Cup horses, Americain took the lead in the rankings, but a number of other thoroughbreds were galloping closely behind including, “Jukebox Jury” and “Dunaden”.

As we know, race-day fashion can draw almost as much attention as the race itself. Online searches for fascinators have increased consistently with online searches for the Cup. There have been more searches for the fashionable headwear throughout September and October than any other time of the year, but surprisingly, hats top the number of searches for headwear, including a dramatic rise in the search for men’s top hats.

In Google Image searches, Melbourne Cup fashion was in the lead until the final horses were confirmed. Over the weekend and today Australians have been searching for images of the horses they will put their money on.

As for who’s searching for the Cup online? Interestingly, the ACT beats out Victoria in terms of regional interest in the Melbourne Cup, followed closely by Western Australia.

A number of celebrity guests have been rumoured and confirmed for cup day. In order of the most searched this month here are some of the expected famous faces:

1. Kim Kardashian
2. Leonardo Dicaprio
3. Dita Von Teese
4. Sarah Jessica Parker
5. Cadel Evans

Happy Melbourne Cup day from Google Australia!

Posted by Kate Mason, Google Communications, Australia and New Zealand.

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Owliver!

Last Tuesday we were lucky enough to have a special visitor to the window ledge of our office.

As it was my birthday, I secretly hoped this little guy was bringing me an invitation to Hogwarts but it seemed he just wanted to see what we were up to at Google. I snapped a couple of pictures and this one was my favourite.



The Sydney Morning Herald called him Barney, but there have been a bunch of names thrown around our office, including Owliver, Ow-lan Noble (in homage to our Director of Engineering) and Colonowl Whobert von Owlivander.



Our friends at WIRES helped Owliver out after he was injured flying, and released him back into Pyrmont at dusk last night.



We hope you enjoy looking at him as much as we did.



Posted by Carson Page, Learning and Development, Google Australia.

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