Melbourne Cup regular Megan Gale pulls out after shocking doco reveals racehorse cruelty

Melbourne Cup regular Megan Gale has cancelled her appearance after a doco revealed shocking footage of racehorse cruelty at a slaughterhouse.

Police are preparing for more protesters at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival amid recent damning animal cruelty revelations and following violent clashes with environmental activists.

Extra police will be deployed at Flemington Racecourse and throughout the city during the week-long festivities, which kick off with Derby Day on Saturday.

Global superstar Taylor Swift was announced in September as a performer on Cup Day, sparking outrage among animal activists.

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses launched a social media campaign asking Swift to say #NupToTheCup and within a fortnight, the singer had withdrawn due to “logistically impossible” scheduling.

US actor Lana Condor, who starred in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on Netflix, pulled the plug on her attendance last week citing the same issues.

The movement has gathered momentum with millennials with various picnics, lunches and bar events organised nationwide as alternatives to tuning into the Tuesday afternoon horse race.

Just last week, ABC’s 7.30 program broadcast shocking footage of racehorses being sent to a slaughterhouse and allegations of animal cruelty at the facility.

One notable omission from the Birdcage enclosure this year will be model and Lexus ambassador Megan Gale — the latest celebrity to abandon her plans.

Megan Gale with the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup and Horse Gunner in June. Picture: Jason Edwards

RELATED: Taylor Swift pulls out of Melbourne Cup

“My decision to not attend the races was one I did not make lightly,” she said in a statement today.

“My client Lexus has been wonderfully supportive about this and I thank them for that and look forward to continuing what is, and will continue to be, a great partnership of mutual respect.”

It’s the second year the luxury brand has been the Melbourne Cup naming rights sponsor.

Chief executive of Lexus Australia, Scott Thompson, said they are delighted when “valued ambassadors” accept their invitation to join the carnival.

“We fully respect the decision by Megan Gale to not attend the Lexus Melbourne Cup and acknowledge her ongoing commitment as a Lexus ambassador,” he said.

Megan Gale with the Melbourne Cup in the Lexus marquee in 2018. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

There is speculation that Tuesday’s race is losing popularity amid well-publicised animal cruelty revelations.

“The Melbourne Cup is not about so-called big celebs visiting us,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters today.

“It’s about ordinary, hardworking Victorian families who will be there in record numbers and many hundreds of thousands more who will watch the race that stops the nation.

“The Spring Carnival is an extremely important part of our major events calendar.”

Actor Lana Condor pulled the plug on her appearance. Picture: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Taylor Swift won’t be there anymore either. Picture: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

The premier is not attending the event himself, but said that has nothing to do with police bracing for more protesters outside Flemington Racecourse.

Mr Andrews stressed horse welfare is taken “very seriously” in all codes of racing, pointing to Racing Victoria this week announcing a $25 million boost to fund an expanded welfare program.

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses protesters are planning to make themselves heard from outside the gates each race day, as well as during Monday’s Melbourne Cup parade.

The group says it has been inundated with support since the ABC program.

“We’ve had an amazing response, the whole country has been alerted to the reality of horse racing from that,” spokeswoman Kristin Leigh told AAP.

“We definitely expect our crowds to be bigger this year and we welcome anyone who speaks up for horses and is committed to nonviolent protest.”

Horses during a trackwork session at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/AAP

Animal activists stage a protest during Caulfield Cup day on October 19 this year. Picture: James Ross/AAP

RELATED: Investigation exposes slaughter of racehorses

While the anti-horse racing group is present at most race meets, it will likely be joined by other activists at Flemington this year, Victoria Police Superintendent Therese Fitzgerald said.

The force has been busy managing hundreds of protesters blockading entry to the mining conference in Melbourne and some of those activists may redirect their attention trackside.

There were ugly scenes earlier this week outside the city’s convention centre with more than 67 people arrested across Tuesday and Wednesday, and a third day of action planned today.

A number of people were hospitalised and a police horse was allegedly slapped in its face.

“We do make it part of our planning and with the events going on at IMARC at the moment we’re certainly gathering intelligence, looking at people who perhaps are causing trouble and might be looking to cause trouble here at these events,” Supt Fitzgerald told reporters yesterday.

“We’ll be in a very strong position to respond.”

Police try to disburse Anti-Mining protesters trying to disrupt a mining conference, using capsicum spray, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Stuart McEvoy/The Australian.

For the first time police will be deploying drones to monitor the racecourse and its surrounds for “illegal activity,” she added.

Ms Leigh said the majority of mining activists were nonviolent and welcomed them to join.

“We would love them, they’re very welcome to come along and join in with us because they are really passionate and they speak up for what is right,” she said.

Climate change activist Emma Black was this morning asked by Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr if the Blockade IMARC group planned to target the Melbourne Cup.

“I’m not sure. I’m sure there are animal rights activists that do that,” Ms Black said.

“But me personally, no, I don’t have plans to target the Melbourne Cup.”

– with AAP