Birdcage scrapped but Cup crowd hopes rise

Celebrities and high flying VIPs will have to find a new stomping ground at the races with the prestigious Birdcage scratched by Flemington.

Usain Bolt in the G. H. Mumm marquee. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Flemington’s famed Birdcage will be scratched from this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival even if crowds are allowed at the race that stops a nation.

The glitzy Birdcage – the hottest ticket in town during Cup Week – will be scrapped in a bid to keep the event Covid-safe.

Up to five separate zones will be established at the iconic racecourse, with fans restricted to their own socially distanced space and unable to meet friends in other areas.

As the State Government considers a Victoria Racing Club request for up to 11,500 fans at some or all of the four-day carnival, spectators can expect a different Flemington experience than usual.

VRC chief executive Steve Rosich told the Sunday Herald Sun the Birdcage, frequented by the likes of models Jennifer Hawkins and Megan Gale, would be paused amid changes made to maximise hopes of crowds.

“It will be different this year, we are calling it re-imagined,’’ he said.

Rob Mills and Paris Hilton famously met in the Birdcage in 2003.

Elle Macpherson was a guest in the Birdcage in 2018. Picture: Alex Coppel

“That’s not only to cater to a Covid safe crowd but also the composition of that crowd will be different given the capacity restraints.”

The Birdcage — a playground for the rich and famous — has played host to celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Nicole Kidman, Lady Kitty Spencer, Liza Minnelli, Naomi Campbell and Paris Hilton.

The opulent trackside enclosure is also popular among business high-flyers such as Gina Rinehart and James Packer, politicians and corporate heavyweights.

Snoop Dogg.

Lindsay Lohan. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Mr Rosich said the traditional Birdcage space was likely to be dedicated to VRC members, as Flemington crowds were split into new sections to enhance social distancing and contact tracing.

“It will be different,’’ he said.

“We will be using all the expanses of the course including the traditional Birdcage area, it will just be presented in a different way to cater to the Covid safe requirements that health authorities require.’’

The Flemington Grandstand, Members’ Stand and lawn in front of the famous finish post will form major fan zones, with crowds spread out to meet strict indoor and outdoor density limits.

The biggest fan zone would accommodate about 3000 people, with smaller areas of between 300 and 400 including a “racing bubble’’ for officials and race day participants.

“While there is still much to work through with respect to those plans and the regulatory authorities, it’s anticipated we will have up to five zones across the course to accommodate a crowd in a Covid safe way,’’ he said.

Naomi Campbell with the Melbourne Cup.

Mr Rosich said the crowd plans submitted to authorities last week were “all about being ready’’ to safely welcome back racegoers and boost state spirits.

“We believe that if we’re able to, our plans for up to 11,500 people per day will not only present a great day but conduct the event in a very safe Covid way,’’ he said.

The VRC is yet to announce whether spectators will need to be fully vaccinated, show a negative Covid-19 test or be subject to rapid antigen testing.

“We see that as a government responsibility to determine that and our role is to work with the government requirements, whatever they turn out to be,’’ he said.

Sports Minister Martin Pakula said the government was “hopeful that we can see some crowds during the Cup Carnival’’ and would “continue to talk to the VRC to help them understand the landscape’’.

“The VRC’s application has been submitted and public health will give it full and proper consideration,’’ he said.

“We all want to get back to doing the things we love and that ultimately depends on how quickly we can reach our key vaccination targets.’’