VRC remains optimistic of hosting 60,000 racegoers throughout Melbourne Cup week

A crowd of 60,000 could watch the Melbourne Cup trackside, ­despite a mystery Covid case casting a cloud over the containment of the state’s latest outbreak.

Crowds could be back for the 2021 Melbourne Cup. Picture: AAP

A crowd of up to 60,000 could pack Flemington Racecourse each day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival under a Victoria Racing Club plan, despite the coronavirus casting a cloud over major events.

Major Events Minister Martin Pakula on Wednesday flagged a possible event insurance scheme to cover Covid cancellations later this year, hours before the Royal Melbourne Show was cancelled for a second straight year.

Coronavirus clusters at the MCG and AAMI Park, where spectators were infected as they queued outside, have raised concerns about crowds at sport and major events until a big portion of the population is fully vaccinated.

The fate of the AFL grand final remains uncertain and fans are not expected at footy games in Melbourne for ­another fortnight.

But after writing to members this week, the VRC signalled it remained optimistic about the size of the Melbourne Cup crowd.

The message, sent as part of a pitch to renew subscriptions, raised eyebrows among members concerned about paying full price for events that may not allow crowds.

VRC chief Steve Rosich said Flemington was “planning to safely host up to 60,000 patrons across multiple zones at Flemington Racecourse on each day of the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival”.

The VRC is planning to welcome patrons back on course for Melbourne Cup carnival. Picture: Alex Coppel

He said the VRC would be guided by “Racing Victoria and government policy” when considering vaccine passports.

Melbourne’s “night mayor” James Young said the passport was the only ticket to an AFL grand final and Melbourne Cup Carnival with crowds.

“I would like to think the Victorian government has a secret target of getting tens of thousands of people to attend a huge gambling and fashion event, and bring in a vaccine passport for spring racing,” Mr Young said.

“More optimistically, we need vaccine passports for an AFL grand final at the MCG. If we don’t have that rule, the grand final won’t happen here, and I want it back in Melbourne.”

Asked about the events industry on Wednesday, Mr Pakula said the last coronavirus outbreak had shown the need for caution.

He also flagged the possibility of an insurance scheme when events are cancelled.

“We’ve been working on an insurance concept for a little while now,” Mr Pakula said.

“It’s very complex. It’s not easy to get a product into market and its not easy for event companies or event businesses to obtain insurance either for cancellation or reduction in density.”

Originally published as VRC remains optimistic of hosting 60,000 racegoers throughout Melbourne Cup week