Oaks Day twilight meeting with tighter program being considered as possible options by VRC

Trim, taut and terrific could be the new revamped Oaks Day format, with the Flemington meeting possibly staged in twilight conditions, says Herald Sun chief racing writer Leo Schink.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — NOVEMBER 08: The field heads off at the start of race eight the Kennedy Oaks during Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 08, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

IMAGINE Oaks Day finishing under twilight conditions at Flemington, complete with a dinner break.

Imagine a mid-afternoon start designed to attract revellers to Headquarters after work, while also providing ­stable staff a later start after the Cup and Derby Day ­marathons.

Imagine a trimmed fixture, with a focus on quality (seven races) rather than quantity (nine races).

SPRING CARNIVAL: HIGHS AND LOWS

Or leave the day as it is.

Those are some of the ­options open to the Victoria Racing Club as it analyses the fourth-biggest day in Australian racing.

Given the three largest and most profitable days are the Derby, Cup and Mackinnon Stakes meetings, the VRC clearly has a strong handle on what works and what needs tweaking.

Traditionalists will insist nothing needs to be changed.

The VRC might consider the Oaks meeting being staged in twilight conditions.

While attendance should never be the ultimate barometer of success, Oaks Day has steadily declined over the past 14 years.

In 2004, 110,677 flocked to Flemington. Last week, 61,355 attended.

Oaks Day is an opportunity because it is unique.

A mid-weeker with the ­allure of Group 1 racing on the doorsteps of the CBD.

British racing, and other ­jurisdictions, have made an art form of twilight racing.

The VRC might do the same with the Oaks meeting.

Thermal Current wins the Absolut Stakes down the famous Flemington straight on Oaks Day.

As part of its due diligence, it will take into account sponsorship considerations, health and safety (the sunset can be problematic for horse and jockey down the straight), wagering and relevant licensing.

If common ground can be struck, a revamp might be on the cards.

Flemington has already embraced non-racing entertainment options at The Park. The club recognises the value of well-researched innovation.

Equally, if there is consensus change is unnecessary, the meeting will be largely unchanged.

The message coming from Headquarters is that less can be more. The winds of change are blowing. Just how powerfully remains to be seen.

Trap For Fools wins the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes on final day at Flemington.

O’ROURKE TO CONTEST VRC BALLOT

RICHMOND director John O’Rourke, regarded as Amanda Elliott’s successor as Victoria Racing Club chair, is among four current board members to seek re-election.

When nominations closed on Friday, O’Rourke, Sophie Cornell, Michael Ramsden and Neil Werrett all indicated they would re-contest their positions.

The Herald Sun understands the incumbents will face challenges from up to seven other VRC members.

VRC members are expected next week to receive ballot and candidate information ahead of the December 14 annual general meeting.

Elliott was elected unopposed last year as VRC’s first female chairperson in 153 years.

She had served as interim chair after the resignation of Michael Burn in December, 2016.

Responsible for the delivery of Flemington’s new $128 million club grandstand, Elliott indicated last year she would hand over the chair after the 2018 AGM.

She was elected to the VRC board in 2002 as only the second woman in history to hold such a position.

Once the results are in from next month’s ballot, the elected board members vote to decide the chair.