Melbourne Cup’s Birdcage VIP party deserted racegoers cop a drenching
IT’S usually littered with celebs, oozing glitz and glam but the Birdcage enclosure at Flemington is a sorry sight this year.
IT IS usually littered with celebs and oozing glitz and glam but the Birdcage enclosure at Flemington is a sorry sight for Melbourne Cup day this year.
Staff at the Mumm marquee are madly mopping the flooded floors and wrapping paper towel around expensive audio equipment as rain pelts in the front door.
There is usually an incredibly tight list to get in to the VIP party, but this morning there was nobody on the door as a handful of people rattled around inside. It’s never been this easy to get access to the Mumm marquee.
Outside, the drains between the enclosures are struggling to cope with the deluge and staff are desperately trying to unblock them with sticks. Rivulets of water stop attendees wading into the bathrooms and expensive outfits have been covered with plastic ponchos as fashionistas survival instincts kick in.
One enclosure ironically named the Bird Bath is almost empty. Designed to be like a summer pool party complete with paddling pool and beach umbrellas, five people were seen inside, and four of them were staff looking miserable in their raincoats.
OUTFITS NOT HOLDING UP WELL
There’s nothing like spending your tax return on a fancy outfit for the Melbourne Cup only to have the heavens open and dump four years worth of rain on your nice new frock and hat.
If you are in Melbourne and you see a fascinator sailing down the street today, don’t be surprised. The rain is torrential.
One woman on the way to Flemington was heard saying: “The rain is good for the farmers”.
Her friend replied: “Yes but it’s bad for my new suede heels.”
It’s good that everyone has their priorities straight.
Some people aren’t letting the inclement weather break their stride and are standing firm in the muddy turf at the racecourse. To these people we tip our (damp) hat.
But it will be tough to stay optimistic if punters can’t even get to Flemington. Flooding near the track has caused chaos, resulting in major delays on the Flemington Racecourse train line and forcing some trains to terminate at Showgrounds.
âš ï¸ Flemington Racecourse line: Major delays due to flooding near Flemington Racecourse.
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) November 6, 2018
Select trains may terminate/originate from Showgrounds.
Check platform displays and listen for announcements as services may be altered at short notice. pic.twitter.com/KXznlG2bVM
Not only that, thunderstorms and heavy rain have caused flight chaos to and from Melbourne.
Passengers arriving on a flight from Singapore along with those on a Qantas service from Japan had to be diverted to Sydney on Tuesday after heavy rain and cloud forced a runway closure, Melbourne Airport spokesman Grant Smith said.
“Poor weather this morning @Melair may cause some delays this afternoon. Weather is expect to improve later in the day. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for details,” Air Services Australia tweeted.
A Virgin Australia spokeswoman said the Melbourne Airport tarmac was closed for 45 minutes on Tuesday morning, leading to flight delays of up to an hour across most airlines.
“We are getting out as many flights as possible. We are trying to keep the effect on (Melbourne Cup) racegoers to a minimum,” she said, noting there had been no cancellations but a few minor delays.
Five of Jetstar’s domestic return flights were delayed for more than an hour but the company is now running on schedule, a spokesman told AAP.
Almost 35mm of rain had fallen at Melbourne Airport by midday, with the weather bureau issuing a severe weather warning for Melbourne and eastern parts of the state.
In town, roads are flooded at Southbank and police have been forced to stop and divert traffic as drivers attempted to cross through floodwaters.
The weather has also affected 40,000 homes which have been left without power, according to the Herald Sun.
The worst affected areas include St Albans, Richmond and Frankston.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said storms will bring significant rainfall to Flemington today, but we’re unlikely to beat Cup Day in 1942, when 46.5mm was recorded.
“We will start to see showers easing in the afternoon but are still likely to see showers during the main race as well,” Mr Efron told AAP.
It could be particularly cold for flamboyant British billionaire Marwan Koukash who has vowed to accept the trophy in his G-string if his horse Magic Circle wins the race.
THUNDERSTORM FORECAST TUESDAY ðŸŒ©ï¸ Severe storms possible over much of #Victoria on #MelbourneCup day! Storms contracting to E Vic by late afternoon & to the NE at night. Heavy rain, damaging winds & large hail are all possible. https://t.co/foG2KnTXja #VicWeather #MelbWeather pic.twitter.com/LrBistOJr6
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) November 5, 2018
“That’s the lace that’s going to stop the nation,” he told AAP at Monday’s Cup Parade.
A severe weather warning is in place for Melbourne and eastern parts of the state, as a slow moving low pressure trough brings heavy rain and thunderstorms. Those storms could lead to flash flooding in some parts.
FOR THOSE OUT ON MELBOURNE CUP LUNCHES ELSEWHERE
Here’s how the rest of the country is looking while Flemington cops a drenching.
Sydney: It’s going to be partly cloudy and humid in the Harbour City with the mercury tipped to hit 31C. Slight chance of a shower, and the risk of thunder in the afternoon or evening.
Brisbane: It will be mostly sunny in Brisbane today hitting 33C — with a chance of a thunderstorms in the west late this afternoon and evening.
Adelaide: It’s partly cloudy and reaching 20C. Medium chance of a shower, becoming less likely in the late morning and early afternoon.
Perth: Those celebrating in Perth can expect cloudy weather and temperatures hitting 19C. Slight chance of a morning shower near the coast.
Canberra: There’s a high chance of showers in the nation’s capital — and there’s a chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening.
Hobart: There’s a high chance of showers, most likely during this afternoon and early evening, and temperatures hitting 19C.
Darwin: In the Territory it’s going to hit 34C with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
—with AAP
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