00:00There's a special kind of beauty to Flemington in spring.
00:0617,000 roses adorn the racetrack, timed perfectly to bloom for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
00:13The secret is in the pruning.
00:15See this rose here, you've got one rose that's out.
00:18I'll take that away and watch what's behind it.
00:22After months of hard work, this is Mick Ryan's favourite time of the year.
00:27I wake up most days thinking, we're going to put more roses, so I just love them.
00:31It's my passion.
00:32Mick's connection to Flemington is lifelong.
00:35As a kid, he and his three brothers sold newspapers to race-goers.
00:40But his love affair with roses is thanks to his mum, who inspired him in the family garden.
00:46So when you see these different roses, do you see your mum?
00:50I do. It's amazing you're here today.
00:53My mum passed away a year ago today.
00:57Getting through last year's Melbourne Cup was particularly tough.
01:03The last thing I said to her, I said, Mum, you're the most beautiful rose I've ever seen.
01:06And I said, I'll dedicate it all to you.
01:08This year's display has been put together in her honour.
01:12I've got some of my mum's ashes here.
01:14You know, a rose bit is special to me, so.
01:17Despite losing his mum, Mick believes this year's bloom is his best ever.
01:22So you'd be proud of what you've prepared, do you think?
01:24Yeah.
01:25That's why I think it's the best year she's looking upon me.
01:28Yeah.
01:29A rose is never just a rose.
01:32A rose is never just a rose.
Comments