By Cara Waters
The Victoria Racing Club is opening up its exclusive members-only areas at Flemington to racegoers who are prepared to pay premium prices, causing outrage among some members who have complained of “bogans” infiltrating.
For the first time at Melbourne Cup Carnival this year, the VRC is selling “premium tickets” to the members’ grandstand and enclosure for Cup Day for $495.
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Kylie Rogers is opening up member areas to the public for a price.Credit: Eamon Gallagher
It has also opened up the members-only Nursery car park, behind the Birdcage area, to the public if they buy a ticket to a “car boot party” for $156 a person, with a minimum booking of 10. The booking comes with a slab of Furphy beer.
“Gather your friends for your first ever Car Boot Party at Flemington, where you can book a dedicated space and make it a party you’ll never forget,” say the VRC’s ads.
The changes have caused a storm on social media, with members warning their dedicated areas at Flemington will become “bogan central” and complaining the VRC “have sold us members out”.
“There will be people who do not know the rules and etiquette of the members’ bar … especially standing up in front of the glass when the races are on,” one member posted on Facebook. “Shame on you VRC!”
Others complained the members’ areas were already crowded during the Melbourne Cup carnival, and lamented the days when non-members had to be a guest of an existing member and show an international passport to be admitted to the members’ area on key race days.
Membership to the VRC previously required being nominated by existing members, joining a waiting list for several years, and then paying a joining fee of $726 and an annual fee of $590 for access to the members’ grandstand and the car parks.
Kylie Rogers, who took over as the VRC chief executive this year, said the membership base was strong with over 30,000 members, but there was room for more attendees in the members’ areas on Cup day.
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“Historically, our member show rates are at their lowest on Melbourne Cup day,” she said. “So we are encouraging our members to attend.”
Rogers said the majority of members were happy for the area to be opened up.
“They understand that, historically, their members enclosure isn’t full enough on that day,” she said. “They welcome all people to Melbourne Cup day and are understanding.”
She said the car boot party was a new product for the VRC and had been selling well.
“Billy Brownless and Dane Swan have been promoting that heavily,” she said. “There are still tickets left for that, so it is about welcoming all to our park, and the demand is hot.”
Caroline Knipe, Jasmine Ryan-Watson and Chelsea Matters at a car boot picnic in the Nursery car park at the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Previously, members had to enter a ballot to gain a coveted car park in the Nursery or on the Rails, which enabled them to bring in their own food, drinks, furniture and decorations to the Cup Carnival.
Spots were filled with simple picnics out of car boots, but some members went all out with their own events, featuring barbecues, tables set with linen and mini marquees.
Two years ago, the VRC banned members from bringing cars into the Rails car park, which sits right on the racetrack in front of the Birdcage, and revamped it into an area predominantly for corporate hire.
Shane Plummer said he had not renewed his VRC membership this year because it was not worth paying for exclusive access when anyone could buy a pass for a day.
A VRC staff member puts the finishing touches on the famous arch at Flemington ahead of the Spring Racing Carnival launch.Credit: Eddie Jim
“There is no value in the membership any more, I have a Moonee Valley and a Caulfield one, but I have ditched my VRC membership after 25 years,” he said. “At Moonee Valley every meeting you go to you get a race book and a beer, you don’t get anything from the VRC any more.”
Plummer said the changes to the member car parks were also disappointing.
“Any Joe Blow can just buy a site there now,” he said.
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