Viewers say Channel 10 Melbourne Cup coverage ‘absolutely sucks’, savage Dave Hughes
Channel 10’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup has been panned, with viewers calling out one host as a hypocrite for even appearing.
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Channel 10’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup has been panned early in the day, with viewers calling the broadcast “unbearable” and “terrible”.
The network is giving it a red hot go this year, as the race that stops a nation goes ahead without any spectators.
Various hosts are appearing through live crosses from different locations around the country — but many viewers are unimpressed, declaring that the coverage “absolutely sucks”.
A number of viewers took particular issue with funnyman Dave Hughes, who was sharing hosting duties with Gorgi Coghlan and Stephen Quartermain.
The comedian was criticised for getting involved with the nation’s biggest horse race, after publicly declaring himself a vegan this year.
Hughes told the ABC in February he’d been “full plant based” since November 2019, and had given up all animal products, including eggs and honey.
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“I thought Dave Hughes was a vegan and against the exploitation of animals? Well we now know what he is … we’re just haggling over his hourly rate … does he take credit card,” one viewer wrote on Twitter.
“Dave Hughes on @Channel10AU for MelbCupDay. I would’ve thought vegans would be opposed to the inhumane treatment horses are subjected to. Not this vegan,” another outraged commenter wrote.
“And why is Dave Hughes there. Ridiculously poor from @Channel10AU,” another said.
“Dave Hughes on the Melbourne Cup telecast. That’s it for me,” another man wrote.
“That just 100% confirms Channel 10 is not in the same stratosphere as Channel 7’s racing coverage calling Dave Hughes one of the funniest men in Australia, or did you just forget the un,” another critical viewer wrote on Twitter.
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The broadcast was savaged from early in the day by viewers who said the coverage “absolutely sucks”.
“Hasn’t 2020 been traumatic enough without having Channel 10’s racing coverage imposed on the nation,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“Channel 10’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup absolutely sucks. So terrible. We miss you Bruce and team,” another wrote — referencing beloved sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney from the Seven network.
Others took issue with an unusual segment — sheep racing — broadcast from Queensland.
“Channel 10 coverage is unbearable. Why are they so obsessed with QLD? Why am I watching sheep racing?”
They’ll be upset to know an inflatable flamingo race is also coming up later in the day.
Channel 10 won the rights to the Melbourne Cup Carnival for 2020 and has been under pressure to deliver the goods this year, after critics savaged its first year of hosting the Cup, calling it “awful”.
The coverage started at 10am with hosts Gorgi Coghlan and Stephen Quartermain manning the desk for Channel 10. The station will cover every race including the main event at 3pm.
The network’s decision to give hosting duties to Coghlan, panellist and sometimes host of The Project, was criticised by sports presenter Tim Gossage.
He said it was a wasted opportunity, when the network could have chosen Caty Price.
“How good is Caty Price,” Gossage said in a tweet. “Knows her stuff and lets the expert talk … why she isn’t hosting the race day coverage is befuddling. (She’s) refreshing and knowledgeable.”
In case you can’t tell I’m a little excited! Join us 9:30 tonight on @channel10au as we look ahead to the #MelbourneCup - some beautiful stories & expert analysis from @GatorGately , @JamesWinks1 & @AdamTABSports ðŸŽðŸŽ @10SportAU @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/uBV5KvqT06
— Caty Price (@caty_price) November 2, 2020
Channel 10’s hosting team includes international racing expert Francesca Cumani, trainer Peter Moody, form expert David Gately, group one winning jockey James Winks, horseback interviewer Brittany Taylor and a team of reporters.
Delta Goodrem is a star of the network’s coverage and will perform her latest song Solid Gold. Rock band The Rubens will also perform their new song Time of My Life from Sydney Harbour, and Pete Murray will sing his song Found My Place from Byron Bay.
Bonnie Anderson, Neighbours star and the winner of The Masked Singer, is also set to perform the National Anthem.
The broadcast runs from 10am to 5.30pm, after the last race is run.
Originally published as Viewers say Channel 10 Melbourne Cup coverage ‘absolutely sucks’, savage Dave Hughes