Big crowd expected at Caulfield Spring Finale

Aussie electronic duo Peking Duk will dial up the tempo off course at Caulfield on Saturday as the younger generation of punters help drive a surge in attendance at the track.

James McDonald celebrates aboard Via Sistina on her way to easily winning the Champions Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Michael Klein

The last major race day of the most successful spring racing carnival in years looms with Caulfield set to host the final big metropolitan meet of a special season this weekend.

New figures show this year’s three month carnival will set new ground for crowds, with overall attendances to soon surpass last year’s tally of 566,000 people.

More than 504,915 people had attended races in the city and country as of November 10 — 4.5 per cent more than last year.

But that figure is expected to climb close to 600,000 by the end of this month, as crowds clamour to seven race meetings across three days to official draw the Spring Carnival to a close on December 1.

Alex Magnano and Anna Lynn getting ready for the final day of the spring carnival. Picture: Brendan Beckett

A return of younger crowds to the track, to cheer horses, fashion and fun has been credited with the attendance surge.

In a continuation of the youth theme, the Melbourne Racing Club has prescribed a relaxed vibe for the “Caulfield Spring Finale’’ on Saturday – the last hurrah of this year’s Spring Carnival.

Aussie electronic duo Peking Duk will dial up the tempo off course at Caulfield on Saturday, with punters urged to lose the tie for a run day at the races to farewell Melbourne’s unrivalled racing season.

Peking Duk will perform at Caulfield. Picture: Getty

Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison said crowds were “generally up between five and 10 per cent’’ across the state.

“We’re extremely pleased with the number of people that have headed trackside this spring to enjoy great racing and entertainment right across Victoria,’’ he said.

“We’re particularly excited by the support shown from a younger demographic who are embracing the sport and enjoying everything about a fun day at the races, from the racing itself, to the events and activations.’’

Flemington alone saw 45 per cent of general admission tickets by people aged 18–35 and a 55 per cent increase in Victoria Racing Club members in the 18–25 age bracket across the four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Attendances at key country meetings were up 18.5 per cent between the end of September and November 16, including a 37.4 per cent surge in racegoers at the Horsham Cup.

Flemington attendances shot up nine per cent, with more than 285,000 at the Cup Carnival, Caulfield Cup Carnival crowds rose 2.7 per cent and the Cox Plate sold out.

Races at Warrnambool, Yarra Valley, the Wodonga and Traralgon Cups, Woolamai and night racing at The Valley will bookend the action at Caulfield this weekend

Peking Duk will lay down iconic tracks ‘High’, ‘Take Me Over’ and ‘Fake Magic’, with no ties or jackets required in general admission areas at Caulfield.

In a statement, Peking Duk said: “we are pumped to bring the party to Caulfield Spring Finale.

“We expect everyone to be ready to hit the dance floor for some straight up bangers and good vibes.’’

Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga said the fun was far from over.

“Spring racing charges on and we’re looking forward to seeing racegoers flock back to Caulfield to indulge once more in the best of trackside entertainment and world class racing for Caulfield Spring Finale,’’ he said.