Townsville Turf Club offers $15 entry to Melbourne Cup race day

Townsville Turf Club is offering an experience few will get at this year’s Melbourne Cup of actually allowing people to watch races trackside.

TOWNSVILLE Turf Club is offering an experience few will get at Flemington today, the ability to watch races trackside.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no punters at the Melbourne Cup.

Townsville, which has no active COVID cases, is in a special position, with thousands expected to flock to the Melbourne Cup Race Day at Cluden.

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“There’s nowhere else in Townsville you will be able to experience live race action as well as the Cup,” Townsville Turf Club president Malcolm Petrofski said.

“There’s plenty of room on the Fig Tree Lawns (along with) bars and umbrellas in front of the grand stand.

“(Racegoers) can also use the seating in the old grand stand.”

Mr Petrofski said while the special Melbourne Cup Luncheon was sold out, the $15 general admission entry would make for the perfect pandemic escape to watch the race that stops the nation.

The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast around 2pm, in between five local races, with televisions in every area.

There’s also food options and bookmakers on site, with live music later in the day.

With no dress code, the Melbourne Cup Race Day promises to have a relaxed family atmosphere.

Gates open at 10am.

Originally published as Townsville Turf Club offers $15 entry to Melbourne Cup race day