Coronavirus changes mean big cuts in Darwin Cup Day crowd, bookies numbers
PUNTERS will only have about four bookmakers to choose from at the Darwin Cup Day this year and crowds will be capped at 7500, according to NT’s racing industry boss
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PUNTERS will only have about four bookmakers to choose from at the Darwin Cup Day this year and crowds will be capped at 7500, according to NT’s racing industry boss.
Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive Andrew O’Toole said punters could expect a few changes at Monday’s Cup Day.
“We normally have about 25-30 visiting bookmakers but those numbers will be a lot lower this year due to COVID-19,” he said.
“This year instead we’ll have seven stands with about four industry bookmakers.
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“Certainly it would be hard to limit the use of cash at the bookies but people are still encouraged to use tap and go where they can at the bar.
“We also won’t be having any corporate marquees in centrefield like we normally would.”
Mr O’Toole said the number of people allowed on the course would also be capped on Cup Day.
“There will be a limit of about 7500 people allowed on course, compared to the 15,000 we would normally have,” he said.
“All tickets must also be bought online to ensure everyone’s details are on file.
“Even though Cup Day may be a bit smaller there’s no doubt it’s still going to be an exiting day at the races.
“We’ve got 12 races scheduled on Monday instead of the average nine — it will be the biggest day we’ve had in a long time.
“It’ll certainly be more of a local’s carnival this year when it comes to the talent we’ve got on the track but we do have visitors from Alice Springs and Adelaide coming up.”
Due to the demand, Qantas has added extra flights to Darwin for the Cup Carnival weekend.
The airline has extra services from Brisbane on Friday, and Adelaide and Alice Springs on Saturday.
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The weekend starts on Saturday with the glamorous Darwin Turf Club Gala Ball under the stars at Fannie Bay at 7pm, followed by the Great Northern Darwin Cup Day on Monday.
The Darwin Cup will be worth $100,000 and the Palmerston Sprint $70,000.
Both have halved their usual prize money.
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