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Bernard Keane says the royal commission into child abuse will be transformative — and unpredictable. Amid the BBC scandal, what does Mark Scott do as the ABC’s “editor-in-chief”? Possum dissects the federal polling trends. And how the internet is killing the world’s oldest profession (yes, that one).

The race yesterday had 2.664 million metro and 3.584 million national viewers, which under-estimated the real viewing audience because it doesn’t include the millions watching in pubs, clubs, race courses and other venues across the country.

The money behind the Australian Grand Prix must stare in envy at the endless parade of horses, hats and money that flock to the Birdcage during Melbourne’s racing season.

What’s behind the Mamamia sacking? … some ABC insiders jealous of Crabb … ad war looms in Geelong …

It’s the race that stops … oh, spare us. We’re more interested in the US race (Rundle, Richardson and Poll Bludger report). Chris Mitchell — the country’s most powerful journo? — tells us he’ll quit The Australian. And inside St John’s — it’s more rowdy than our Cup sweep.

Of all the things that Melburnians waste money on and are disproportionately obsessed about, the Melbourne Cup is the worst. It’s proof white trash is a state of mind and has nothing to do with how much money you have, says Thomas Caldwell.

Is So You Think heading overseas? And have we seen the last of this great race horse on Australian soil?

There’s a big chance this year’s Cup will again end up in the trophy cabinet of a wealthy entrepreneur, writes SmartCompany editor James Thomson.

Swathes of foreign visitors and corporations inject consumer dollars and marketing investment into the spring racing carnival, proving just what can be achieved when taxpayers aren’t picking up the tab.

A former teenage punter and Ballarat boarding school bookie, Ross Stapleton fulfills a long-time ambition to interview the jockey known as “the cups specialist” – W.A. (Billy Smith) now long retired at 82 on the Gold Coast.

In its first eight months of operation, the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner has launched investigations into two separate complaints about misconduct in the Victorian racing industry, writes Swinburne University journalism student Lauren McShanag.

You mightn’t have got a ticket, but you don’t need to miss out on the fun. Nick Johns-Wickberg has some tips on how to get the most out of the Melbourne Cup — budget style!

A former teenage punter and Ballarat boarding school bookie fulfils a long-time ambition to interview the jockey known as “the cups specialist” – W.A. (Billy Smith) now long retired at 82.

Little regarded Gothic Crown is just one giant step away from taking his place in the Melbourne Cup field. And if it can win Saturday’s Lexus Stakes then his trainer, Todd Balfour, could have a horse alongside sheikhs and Bart Cummings, writes the SMH’s Andrew Eddy.

Apparently people get drunk on the public lawns at the Melbourne Cup. Who knew? There is no news in this, just a ritualised annual tabloid photo-gallery parade of shame, vulnerability and intrusion. But try telling that to the Hun.

The priceless coincidence of two major news events occurring within an hour of each other yesterday had the nation’s top journalists jockeying relentlessly in their favourite pursuit: tenuously-linked punnage.

Yesterday’s interest rate rise was, in monetary terms, roughly what we spent yesterday per head losing on the Cup. And if we just offset the cost of all the hats and champagne with the lost working hours spent on office sweeps…

Yesterday’s gigantic sting by Shocking caught thousands upon thousands of pundits, coat-tuggers, gombeens and gobshites who all said that Bart could do no wrong, writes TP Maher.

Official stats have 2.563 million watching the Melbourne Cup yesterday, but with people watching in pubs and clubs and work, the audience was probably twice that and then a lot more.

It’s the inevitable photo gallery after every Melbourne Cup, rubbish everywhere, passed out sunburnt men and drunken girls being carried by friends. Australians are a classy lot.