Covid alert issued over Melbourne Cup party after Ozzie Kheir tests positive

More Covid infections have been linked to lavish Melbourne Cup victory celebrations, with the outbreak almost doubling in size.

Ozzie Kheir with the Melbourne Cup after Verry Elleegant’s victory. Picture: Getty Images

A Covid outbreak linked to a lavish Melbourne Cup party thrown by the owners of the race winner has ballooned once again.

Twenty-six cases are now linked to the cluster after Ozzie Kheir, owner of the Melbourne Cup winning horse Verry Elleegant, tested positive to Covid-19 more than a week ago.

Old school friends of co-owner Brae Sokolski are also understood to now be infected, as well as family members and close friends of other guests.

The size of the outbreak has almost doubled since Wednesday, when it stood at more than a dozen.

Partygoers who were forced into isolation after being identified as close contacts were already freed from their quarantine stint last Tuesday night.

Current isolation protocols only require that fully vaccinated close contacts spend seven days in quarantine from the date of exposure.

But a lengthy delay in contact tracing — which resulted in guests being officially told that they had become a close contact at about 11.30am on Tuesday — meant most had likely failed to complete their full seven-day isolation stint.

Verry Elleegant owners Brae Sokolski (left holding the Cup) and Ozzie Kheir (right with the Cup) celebrate on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images

It means potentially infectious guests were unknowingly moving out in the community during the week after the Cup.

In a message from the Department of Health on Tuesday, November 9, seen by the Herald Sun, attendees were told they may have been exposed to the virus on Tuesday, November 2.

“You must isolate immediately and seek testing as soon as possible,” the message read.

“If you are tested for Covid-19 and receive a negative result, you must continue your isolation until the end of the quarantine period.”

The Department of Health has confirmed they were aware of multiple cases linked to the Society restaurant outbreak, which is owned by prominent restaurateur Chris Lucas.

“We’ve contacted all known attendees to ensure they get tested as soon as possible,” a department spokesman said.

Part of the message sent to guests.

“Fully vaccinated patrons can leave quarantine from 11.59pm on day seven once they have returned a negative result.

“If they have already taken a test from yesterday (day 6) onwards, they do not need to get another test.”

Unvaccinated contacts, or people who live with someone who has COVID, must quarantine for 14 days following exposure.

A spokeswoman for Mr Lucas confirmed the venue had been contacted by the Department of Health late on Monday night.

She confirmed a private event was held at the venue a few days before it reopened to the general public.

“The DHHS advised late last night that they are looking into a confirmed case that attended our venue,” she said.

“In addition to our daily cleaning and sanitisation protocols, we proactively took the required steps to deep clean and sanitise our venue.

“We are cooperating with DHHS and can confirm that we are not listed as an exposure site. We are open as usual and continue as always to operate in line with government guidelines.”

The spokeswoman added that she had no idea where rumours of 15 cases had surfaced from, adding that the venue had only been made aware of one case.

Kheir and Sokolski accepting the trophy after Verry Elleegant’s win. Picture: Getty Images

She also confirmed that rapid antigen tests were not used on the night of the event, but said every patron was required to check in to the venue, with security on the door.

The epic Cup celebrations included a bevy of sports stars, such as former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting, Richmond premiership hero Trent Cotchin, Wayne Carey and many other A-listers.

Mr Kheir, a prominent property developer, earlier told the Herald Sun he was feeling well and had been isolating at home with his family.

He said authorities were unsure where he had been infected and there was no evidence it was during Cup celebrations at Society on Tuesday night.

“I tested positive on Friday evening and I’ve been isolating ever since. I actually feel perfectly fine,” Mr Kheir said.

“I thought maybe it was alcohol withdrawal after Saturday and Tuesday but the test came back positive.

“In all seriousness, though, I have no symptoms and feel perfectly fine.

“I’m not sure what has happened; they said it could have been from anything and they just don’t know.

“Obviously all my friends and family have been tested.”

Sokolski pours a champagne tower at the winner’s party at Society.

Jockey James McDonald and Sokolski at the celebrations.

Mr Sokolski returned a negative test, as did other members of the syndicate, who partied for several days after the historic win.

He said the Covid cluster was a “storm in a teacup”.

“I’m fine, I tested negative. Absolute storm in a teacup,” Mr Sokolski said.

“I’m aware that there may have been some instances of positive tests … but that’s no one that I’m familiar with.”

While restaurants are not considered high-risk locations, all dine-in patrons and staff are required to be fully vaccinated.

In addition to having a stake in Melbourne Cup runner-up Incentivise, Mr Kheir and his friends also owned Derby winner Hitotsu.

The Herald Sun understands neither Mr Sokolski nor Mr Kheir attended any other events over the course of the spring carnival.

The Tuesday night event was not run by Victoria Racing Club.

Mr Kheir kisses the Melbourne Cup with fellow connections. Picture: Getty Images

CASES LINKED TO RACING CARNIVAL

Two positive cases have so far been linked to the track at the Spring Racing Carnival, including a contractor – who worked at both Derby Day and Melbourne Cup.

The other case was a patron who attended the deck bar within the Green Zone.

The cases are not linked, but both individuals were fully vaccinated.

It also comes after Mr Sokolski was fined $10,000 for breaching Covid protocols after he jumped a fence into the mounting yard while celebrating his horse’s win.

Under Racing Victoria (RV) and Victoria Racing Club protocols, the area is strictly reserved for jockeys, trainers, media and other approved race-day officials.

Premier Daniel Andrews said contact tracing efforts were continuing despite the public exposure site list appearing to become smaller.

Mr Andrews said he was aware of reports of the cases linked to the after-party.

“There is contact tracing going on. Sometimes these matters will be high profile and sometimes they won’t be,” he said.

“I hope that everyone (at the event) was checking in, I hope that everyone (that was allowed in) was vaccinated. That will make the work of our contact tracers a lot easier.

“I send my best wishes. Whether you’re the owner of a horse, or a restaurant or a worker for both, we don’t want anyone getting this.”