Last-minute race to allow Derby Day crowds

A last-minute push is on to allow thousands of punters to gather at Flemington on Derby Day as Victoria races ahead of vaccination targets.

Crowds could be trackside at this year’s Derby Day as the state races ahead of vaccination targets. Picture: Jay Town

Thousands of fans could be trackside at Derby Day this month under a late push to launch the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival in style.

The state government and Victoria Racing Club are in talks on whether to allow limited crowds at the popular event on October 30, as the state sprints towards its 80 per cent double vaccination rate ahead of schedule.

The Herald Sun believes crowds of up to 5000 with reserved seat tickets are being considered for the event, with up to 10,000 approved for the Cup, Oaks and Stakes.

With tickets soon to go on sale, a decision will have to be made by the end of this week to ensure fans can be safety ­accommodated.

Despite originally declaring the Derby a fan-free zone, Daniel Andrews on Tuesday said talks were underway to determine whether it could now be safely held in front of fans.

“I think there is some work going on at the moment about whether Melbourne Cup Day is in fact the trial event or whether Derby Day might be,” the Premier said.

“That is not settled on to make announcements about that, it may be possible but we are certainly working with the VRC about that.”

VRC chief Steve Rosich said talks had intensified about fans being allowed at Flemington for Derby Day thanks to fast rising vaccination rates.

A quiet Flemington racecourse. Picture: Jay Town

“There has been some discussion, albeit it limited at this stage, over the last few days on the prospect of a crowd being permitted on Derby Day,” he said.

“And we are engaging with the relevant state government representatives on that. It’s still only a possibility, it’s not a probability so we will keep ­engaging on that prospect.”

Projections on Tuesday forecast Melbourne was likely to reach the 80 per cent double dose rate by October 30 or the following day.

It was previously thought the target would not be hit until Melbourne Cup Day.

NSW had 10,000 fans at the Everest last Saturday when 80.3 per cent of residents aged 16-plus were fully vaccinated.

Details about access to tickets to the Melbourne Cup for general admission and VRC members are expected to be released on Wednesday.

The VRC on Sunday received written approval for spectators at the Cup, Oaks and Stakes but had expected Derby Day to be without fans.

“The prospect of this hasn’t been put forward by us to the government, however if it was to transpire and we are able to accommodate a crowd it would clearly provide more access to the Melbourne Cup Carnival,” Mr Rosich said.

“And it will bring to life all the on-course activities we are able to do on the other three days.”

The Everest race day at Royal Randwick went ahead in Sydney with 10,000 in attendance. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

He said time frames for getting fans trackside on Derby Day were “getting a bit tight” and he hoped to “find out some more detail and conclusive information” in coming days.

“If we were to get confirmation formally of a permissible crowd for Victoria Derby Day, to be able to execute effectively, we would need to know most likely by Friday morning,” Mr Rosich said.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra called on the government to “be bold” and declare Derby Day crowds regardless.

“Even if we are projected to fall just short of the 80 per cent vaccination target, the state government should be able to declare it a trial and turn the Melbourne Cup into a full event like Oaks and Stakes Day currently are,” he said.

“This would be a massive achievement which is within our reach thanks to the millions of Victorians who have done their bit to get vaccinated.

“Derby Day is one of the biggest and best events on the global racing calendar.

“And the images of enthusiastic crowds broadcast across the world will be priceless to show that Victoria’s bold ambition has paid off and we are back to being Australia’s sporting and events capital.”

It comes as Victoria on Tuesday reported a further 1749 local cases and 11 deaths, including a woman older than 100. Of the caseload, 30 per cent were centred around Melbourne’s western suburbs, 28 per cent in the north, 28 per cent in the southeast and 5 per cent in the eastern suburbs.

A further 8 per cent were detected in regional Victoria, including 13 in Wodonga, where most have been linked to a bar in Albury.