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Sun shines on ghost town of Flemington

For the first time in its 160-year history, the Melbourne Cup took place in front of empty stands with owners and punters banished due to the pandemic.

Empty stands tower over the track as Twilight Payment leads the pack on the first turn during the running of the 2020 Melbourne Cup at Fleming Racecourse. Picture: Aaron Francis
Empty stands tower over the track as Twilight Payment leads the pack on the first turn during the running of the 2020 Melbourne Cup at Fleming Racecourse. Picture: Aaron Francis

For the first time in its 160-year history, the Melbourne Cup took place in front of empty stands with owners and punters banished due to the pandemic.

Without the cheers and jubilation of famously boisterous crowds, Flemington Racecourse was as jubilant as a ghost town after Twilight Payment claimed the Melbourne Cup.

Picknicking in a park overlooking Flemington. Picture: William West
Picknicking in a park overlooking Flemington. Picture: William West

In another cruel twist of fate, the sun shone brightly over the track’s famed roses with Melbourne’s temperamental climate delivering the warmest weather in six years.

In a pre-COVID world, the 160th running of the Melbourne Cup would have seen thousands of racegoers on Tuesday. Instead, the lone photographer snapped photographs of empty stands while the odd trainer walked a horse while pop music blasted against the empty concrete.

In Sydney, racing queen Gai Waterhouse branded the decision to ban owners and punters from the Melbourne Cup as “ridiculous”, saying the Victorian government had cut the country off at its knees.

“It’s quite ridiculous really, the way they’ve gone on in Victoria,” she told 2GB. “The Premier there should wake up and let people go on with their business.”

Kate Peck at the GH Mumm lunch at Pier One in Sydney. Picture: David Swift
Kate Peck at the GH Mumm lunch at Pier One in Sydney. Picture: David Swift

Less than two weeks ago, the Victorian government agreed to let around 500 owners, staff and connections of racehorses attend the Cox Plate before reversing the decision following widespread community backlash. The decision to ban owners from the Melbourne Cup shortly followed.

On Tuesday, Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said it was unfortunate spectators could not attend the Melbourne Cup, but the public health risk outweighed any hit to the economy.

Royal Randwick Racecourse hosted about 10,000 punters. Picture: Jane Dempster
Royal Randwick Racecourse hosted about 10,000 punters. Picture: Jane Dempster

Even the Melbourne Cup’s famed Birdcage didn’t escape a pandemic inspired makeover, with an almost empty carpark replacing the marquees and celebrities. Instead of models and social media influencers brandishing champagne, Flemington Racecourse’s most exclusive area hosted a van and truck.

The rich, famous and beautiful instead Instagrammed the fashion, champers and gourmet nosh from the VIP section of their homes and backyards.

While the marquees were missing, a physical birdcage was erected alongside dozens of Lexus cars bearing the names of previous Cup winners. Golden wings stretched out from the top of the cage as animals made of brightly coloured flowers, including a blue lion and a pink elephant, surrounded the sculpture.

Samantha Porter has a win in Townsville. Samantha Porter. Picture: Alix Sweeney
Samantha Porter has a win in Townsville. Samantha Porter. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Banned from the stands at Flemington, punters loyal to the Melbourne Cup flocked to parks. In the inner west at Footscray Park, savvy punters set up gazebos early to watch the race from across the Maribyrnong River.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sun-shines-on-ghost-town-of-flemington/news-story/6c5574150edea1076bb858d5ffaa3f25