Crowd hope for Melbourne Cup as the race that restarts the nation
The Victoria Racing Club holds out hopes a crowd up to 50,000 people could be on course for the Melbourne Cup, with plans to rebrand the iconic event as “the race that restarts the nation”.
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The Melbourne Cup will truly be the People’s Cup this year with the Victoria Racing Club revealing plans to ensure it goes ahead, whether there are crowds or not
While uncertainty exists around exactly how COVID-19 will affect this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, what is certain is the 160th running of the world-famous race will take place on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington.
Planning is under way to accommodate all possible scenarios from zero to 50,000 punters trackside.
But the reach will go far beyond those fortunate few who may get a chance to be there in person, with plans to deliver a magical offcourse experience, whether they’re celebrating off course at a backyard BBQ, local pub or regional racetrack.
This year marks 90 years since Phar Lap famously thundered down the straight to lift the spirits of a nation during the Great Depression.
VRC CEO Neil Wilson hopes this year’s Cup carnival will similarly be a beacon of optimism and celebration.
“I hate to draw comparisons to the Great Depression in what we’re going through now, but I can only imagine there were similar things going on,” he said.
“We’re the first major event in Australia and it’s something really important, an opportunity not to stop but to actually start the nation.
“We want to be deeply respectful of the situation we’re in, we’re in a crisis and a state of disaster. But I think we can be optimistic and positive about our plans.”
The detailed plans feature a range of options, depending on where the state’s coronavirus crisis is at, including:
Moving the Birdcage into existing spaces within the Members’ Stand as well as lightweight temporary infrastructure trackside;
Fashions On The Field to maintain a presence in The Park precinct, but to include a digital “Fashions On The Front Lawn” competition;
Creating a range of off-course activities that could involve events at other venues and bringing the excitement of race days into people’s backyards and living rooms; and
Member-only initiatives that would include exclusive access to unique digital content, wagering offers and packages from sponsors.
Mr Wilson said the Birdcage would not exist in its traditional form, not just because it might not be allowed under government guidelines, but because it was not appropriate under the circumstances.
“It won’t be the mega-marquee model. Whether we could do that or not has been one part of the decision-making, but whether it is the right thing to do it has been as well,” he said.
“We think there is another way to go about it, that is respectful of the situation.”
While the traditional glitz and glamour of the Melbourne Cup Carnival will be tempered this year, the VRC’s plans will give punters opportunities to feel a part of the excitement even if they may not be able to witness it trackside.
“We’ve been working on this for months with a whole range of plans around on-course and offcourse engagement,” Mr Wilson said.
“We have 127 hectares and three grandstands, a lot of permanent infrastructure and space that allows us to position people within the various scenarios we’re aware of, within the COVID-19 protocols.
“Right up to a couple of weeks before, we can still be doing things to make space. We have all of our suppliers and food and catering, we’ve got all of that geared to be as reactive as possible.”
“A significant amount of planning had gone into strategies to engage punters away from the track.
“The Melbourne Cup stops people around the country for the day, so how do we turn that into something that is more than just people organising it themselves?
“And how do we make it so you get that Cup experience in the home with all the things you might expect from a marquee? We’re working closely with our partners to create these opportunities.”
Mr Wilson remains optimistic crowds will be able to attend the Cup carnival, but admits stage four restrictions could affect numbers.
“I personally still believe we will have a crowd … We’re the last cab off the rank in terms of the Spring Racing Carnival, so that gives me some basis for that confidence,” he said.
He confirmed prize money would remain the same for each of the key Group 1 races for the Carnival, including $8m for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, $2m for the Derby and $1m for The Oaks.
What will undoubtedly be different this year is the Melbourne Cup field will be predominantly local horses.
VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber says while the Carnival might look different this year, she’s very happy to have something to look forward to.
“It has been such a hard year for everyone. It’s the one day of the year that all of Australia unites, and I am already really looking forward to celebrating what has always been a special time of year for me and everyone in the retail and hospitality sectors,” she said