It’s not about ‘so-called celebs’, says Daniel Andrews as Megan Gale pulls out of Melbourne Cup carnival
Daniel Andrews says the Melbourne Cup isn’t about celebs as Megan Gale joins big-name exits.
The Melbourne Cup is “not about so-called big celebs”, but ordinary Victorians enjoying a day out, Premier Daniel Andrews has declared, as model Megan Gale becomes the latest big name to pull out of the spring racing carnival.
The model and entrepreneur Megan Gale is the latest celebrity to opt out of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, joining pop star Taylor Swift and actress Lana Condor, who have both withdrawn from planned appearances as celebrity guests at Flemington, citing scheduling conflicts.
Ms Condor had been announced as a guest in dating app Bumble’s marquee. The company simultaneously donated $130,000 to the Victorian racing industry’s Off The Track program for retired racehorses.
The backlash against the race comes amid a sustained campaign from animal welfare activists and last week’s ABC 7.30 investigation into the industry, which showed hundreds of registered racehorses were being sent to abattoirs in contravention of racing rules.
Asked whether he was concerned about celebrity boycotts of the Melbourne Cup, Mr Andrews said: “the Melbourne Cup is not about so-called big celebs visiting us.”
“It’s about ordinary, hardworking Victorian families who will be there in record numbers, and many, many hundreds of thousands more who will watch the race that stops the nation,” the Premier said.
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“The Spring Carnival is an extremely important part of our major events calendar. Much enjoyment is derived from the spectacle that is the Spring Carnival. It’s Australia’s premium racing carnival.”
Gale’s decision
Ms Gale, a Lexus ambassador, has been a Spring Racing Carnival regular for many years as the face of the Melbourne Cup sponsor, and says it was not a decision she took lightly.
“My client Lexus has been wonderfully supportive about this and I thank them for that and look forward to continuing what is, and will continue to be, a great partnership of mutual respect,” she said.
Lexus CEO Scott Thompson said they “fully respect the decision by Megan Gale to not attend the Lexus Melbourne Cup and acknowledge her ongoing commitment as a Lexus ambassador”.
Welfare ‘taken seriously’
Mr Andrews said it was also important to note that animal welfare was taken “very seriously” across all three codes of racing — namely thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing, highlighting Racing Victoria’s recent commitment to a welfare taskforce to prevent cruelty.
“We saw just earlier this week a $25 million announcement in terms of animal welfare, and a call, a renewed call for a national tracking scheme to make sure that those retired racehorses are treated as humanely, as well as possible,” he said.
“People have a right to protest, but as I said yesterday there’s a big difference between peaceful protest and the sort of stuff we’ve seen down at the (anti-mining protests outside the) Convention Centre and some of the things that are foreshadowed for Flemington next week.
Mr Andrews said he and wife Catherine would not be attending the Melbourne Cup this year, but that the decision was unrelated to planned protests by animal welfare activists.
“Cath and I are not going to Flemington, and that’s got absolutely nothing to do with people who are going to be out the front of Flemington,” he said.
“They’ve got a right to do that, but not to disrupt and not to be violent.
“My diary is not affected by the sort of people and their behaviour that we’ve seen in the last few weeks.”
Asked whether he would be placing any bets on the Melbourne Cup, Mr Andrews said he had not yet studied the form.
“I’m sure I’ll be speaking with you again before then, and I’ll be happy to give you a tip,” he said.
“My advice would be not necessarily to follow it … I’ll have to see what sort of intel I get between now and then.”
Swift reversal
Taylor Swift abrupt reversal cancelling her appearance at the Cup came after a social media campaign by animal activists.
Anthony Callea, who will sing the national anthem on Cup Day, has pledged to donate his performance fee to an equine welfare and a rehabilitation organisation after footage of the shocking treatment of horses at a Queensland abattoir was aired on ABC TV.
In an Instagram post he said: “I know this will not satisfy all, but I do hope in a time of differing opinions across many aspects of society, that the singing of the national anthem will unite us in our differences, and help celebrate and showcase my hometown of Melbourne and our beautiful country on the world stage.”
Meanwhile, Myer ambassador Asher Keddie made it clear when she signed with the retailer earlier this year she would not be trackside for the carnival because of her reservations about horse racing. Myer is a long-time sponsor of Fashions on the Field.
Racing Victoria announced earlier this week it would provide $25 million to set up a welfare taskforce to prevent cruelty, with the VRC tipping in $1 million to kickstart the scheme.
Lexus will launch its luxury Birdcage marquee today, with Australia’s native landscape the inspiration in three levels of luxury design, food and hospitality.
with the Herald Sun
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