THE woman now famous around the world for throwing allegedly drunken punches at the Melbourne Cup says she was drugged.

On her own YouTube account, catherinejyoung78, the woman says: "I was drugged. End of story. You people need lives" and "Give me a break. Totally unfair!"

"I'm ashamed. And was drugged!! This is out of character and at this point, it's a police matter. Thank you for all the comments. Articulate people when your sober abusing someone you have no clue what happened to. Nothing is ever as it seems," she also posted. She also told people commenting on the video to "get over it" and called some "a bunch of trolls".

The woman came to public prominence as British media poked fun at drunken Aussies enjoying the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.

The world's biggest website, Mail Online, ran pictures of debauched racegoers rolling round the paddocks after the big race.

The website splashed images of men and women flaked out on the grass and one doing an impromptu pole dance with an umbrella across its website, with the headline: "And you thought Ascot was going to the dogs! Things get a little messy at Aussies' big day out at the Melbourne Cup''.

And they used this video, showing the woman in a tight blue dress, fascinator and high heels throwing punches at fellow racegoers.

"Punch drunk: Watch the video of inebriated woman at Melbourne Cup which is as jaw-dropping as it's hilarious" the headline states.

In Pictures: Melbourne Cup Hi-Jinks

media_camera The drunk woman tries to throw a punch at another racegoer at the Melbourne Cup.

The truth remains that of the crowd of 106,000 people, just four people were arrested for drunkenness and only 78 were evicted. Of those, 39 were forced to leave for being intoxicated, four people were arrested for being drunk in public place and 29 were caught trying to bring alcohol into the racecourse.

The video posted on YouTube by Gavin Caporn shows the woman throwing wild punches, falling to the floor and finally pinned down.

media_camera The drunk woman is held down by a fellow racegoer at the Melbourne Cup.

Her actions at Flemington draw contempt.

"Oh, she's terrible," one woman said before a man can be heard saying "Just walk away mate," to someone on the receiving end of her punch.

Five security guards finally arrived to take the woman away.

Melbourne Cup punter turns 8c into $77,000



The Melbourne Cup is the only day of the year for many to dress up and mix it with celebrities and on this occasion royalty. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, appeared to enjoy the day, even if their tips for the big race went awry.





Originally published as Cup punch woman: I was drugged