AS the excitement about Melbourne Cup builds, Tooheys has launched a very Australian ‘afternoon off’ petition, which it intends taking to Canberra for a half-day public holiday for the race that stops a nation. The petition says: "We should celebrate this momentous afternoon away from our sites and offices, to pay due respect to this proud Australian sporting tradition." Sounds like they just want an afternoon off work, but if anyone is interested in taking some initiative with the campaign, information and petitions can be found at http://www.afternoonoff.com.au