Melbourne Cup 2020: ‘Unheard of’ weather conditions to hit Flemington

As if the world hasn’t changed enough already in 2020, Melbourne is bracing for another twist in the race that stops the nation.

Melbourne is preparing for unseasonably warm weather on Tuesday as Australia gears up for the biggest day on its racing calendar.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a top of 29 degrees in the Victorian capital as the country prepares for the most unusual Melbourne Cup in history, with spectators banned from attending the race because of COVID-19 restrictions.

No rain is expected, which will hamper those runners — like Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet and Caulfield Cup victor Verry Elleegant — who thrive in the wet.

The mercury will rise to its highest point of the week in time for Cup Day, an anomaly for Melbourne in early November. Maximum temperatures are predicted to drop down into the teens for much of the remainder of the week but the weather gods will be smiling on Flemington come Tuesday afternoon.

Nine reporter Christine Ahern told Today on Monday: “We’re going to have 29 degrees which is unheard of in Melbourne at this time of year.”

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The track will be in good condition for all 24 runners.

Light north-westerly winds are also forecast, to provide the horses a bit of respite from the heat.

At Derby Day on Saturday, the Flemington track was rated a Good 4 and will improve with more pleasant weather.

TJ Comerford — the stable representative for trainer Aidan O’Brien — is confident their horses Anthony Van Dyck and Tiger Moth will flourish under the sun on a good track, enhancing their status among the race favourites.

Rekindling won the Melbourne Cup in the rain in 2017 and Cross Counter did the same under gloomy skies in 2018. Vow and Declare saluted in cool conditions last year but given everything in 2020 is all out of whack, why should the weather be any different.