Wild weather predicted to wreak havoc at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day

The race that stops the nation could be looking at a wet and wild running with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting the heavens to open.

The threat of a Tuesday afternoon thunderstorm has Victoria Race Club Senior Track Manager Liam O’Keeffe keeping a close eye on the forecast ahead of Melbourne Cup Day.

O’Keeffe revealed there’s a “very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening with the chance of a thunderstorm” forecast on Tuesday where the temperature is expected to hit 29 degrees celsius, per punters.com.au.

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“There is the chance of a storm on Tuesday afternoon,” O’Keeffe said.

“At the moment it’s a chance so that’s something to monitor as the next couple of days roll on.

“It’s not forecast to come until mid-afternoon so we’ll just monitor it over the next 24 hours and if we need to adjust our plans we will.

“It could also be a case of if it does happen, it might not happen until after the Cup is run.”

O’Keeffe reported he was satisfied with how Flemington handled the traffic on Victoria Derby Day and preparations were in full swing to have Australia’s famous racecourse in A-one order for it’s biggest meeting of the year on Tuesday.

Storm clouds are tipped to roll in.

“She came through Saturday well, raced well,” he said.

“We irrigated on Saturday night, put on six millimetres which takes it to 31 (mm) for the week.

“We’ll put on probably another eight to 10 on Sunday night and similar again on Monday night with the forecast for 29 degrees on Tuesday.”

The rail is on the move ahead of Tuesday’s 10-race card and it will continue to be shifted out as the remainder of Melbourne Cup week plays out on Thursday and Saturday.

“The rail will go two metres on Tuesday then five (metres) on Oaks Day and eight metres on Champions Day,” O’Keeffe said.

“That enables us to get the horses onto fresh ground around the home turn on each of the days.”

Take cover. Melbourne Cup.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for the next six days is:

Monday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. 28.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. 29.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. 27.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely during the morning. 22.

Friday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. 28.

Saturday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely later in the day. 23.

This article originally appeared on Punters.com.au and was reproduced with permission.