Page 13: Victorian Racing Club chairman schmoozes with King Charles III at Royal Ascot

The Victorian Racing Club was spotted rubbing royal shoulders with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot — making it racing certainty they’ll attend this year’s Melbourne Cup.

VRC chairman Neil Wilson watching Royal Ascot in the Royal Box with King Charles III earlier this week. Picture: Alan Crowhurst.

When you are invited to sit with the King you bow and make the most of it.

And it would be impolite not to return the invitation.

Crafty Melbourne Cup organisers have used a Royal Ascot meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla to make it a racing certainty they will attend the race that stops the nation.

Take that Peter V’landys.

The Racing NSW chief executive and sports supremo had a royal crown made to be held aloft by the winner of a King Charles III Stakes in Sydney around the same time as the Melbourne Cup.

The $5 million race might be the Down Under version of the Royal Ascot race run by Asfoora on Tuesday but there were smiles all around as Melbourne appears to have got the inside running.

Winners were grinners as VRC chairman Neil Wilson and wife Stephanie watched with the royals as Australian sprinter Asfoora won the King Charles III Stakes.

Wilson told Page 13 it was a great honour and privilege. And while not declaring the King and Queens’s attendance at Flemington in November a sure thing, he said the invitation had been extended.

Morgan Riddle, girlfriend of U.S. tennis player Taylor Fritz, at Royal Ascot. Picture: Kirstin Sinclair.

Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer. Picture: Dave Benett.

“It was a privilege to be a guest of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen to witness Asfoora win the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes for trainer Henry Dwyer on the first day of Royal Ascot,” said the VRC chairman.

“It was a special moment for Victorian and Australian racing” and “an honour to reconnect with their majesties as part of the royal meeting and share in their passion of thoroughbred racing.

“There is a standing annual invitation to the Melbourne Cup Carnival for their majesties, who last attended the Cup in 2012 and would be warmly welcomed back to Flemington this year.

“Royal Ascot is one of the world’s major racing events and a perfect opportunity to connect with many of the key international racing participants and administrators, as well as some of our key global partners.

Demi Brereton at Royal Ascot. Picture: Francesca Altoft Photography

Prince William. Picture: Samir Hussein.

“Together with Ascot, this week the VRC also announced a continuation of our official partnership. First signed in 2006, our international alliance has contributed to the successful evolution of thoroughbred racing as a truly global sport.

“It has also seen both organisations share valuable strategic and operational information, generate exclusive digital content through our joint ownership of World Horse Racing and deliver reciprocal privileges for our respective members to enjoy.

“More than 300 VRC members purchased tickets to attend this year’s Royal Ascot meeting and enjoy the best in racing, fashion, food and entertainment.

“The VRC team will return to the UK with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy for the King George Weekend at Ascot racecourse in July as part of its annual Cup Tour.”

Sounds like the irrepressible V’landys has missed the start this time.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to make an Australian tour this year after the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa on October 21-25.

Ascot chairman Sir Francis Brooke and the VRC chairman Wilson signed a “sister” track agreement on Tuesday.