The Birdcage at the Spring Racing Carnival is back, after three years without full crowds. Maybe not bigger. Possibly better. But probably wetter. The ongoing rain comes amid the prospect of a super sized interest rate rise on Melbourne Cup Day.

The Victoria Racing Club has also pledged a contribution of at least $500,000 to flood victims, amid a public backlash and investigation into whether their flood-prevention wall around the Flemington racecourse may have added to the flooding and the evacuation of people from their homes in Maribyrnong.