‘Buzzing and open for business’: Crowds boost Cup week

Victoria Racing Club’s hosting of more than 30,000 racegoers over the four days of Melbourne Cup week has been dubbed a success, delivering a confidence boost to major sporting organisations and entertainment venues ahead of a bumper summer of sport.

Derby Day saw up to 5500 fully vaccinated patrons allowed on course, while crowds were capped at 10,000 for each of the Melbourne Cup, VRC Oaks and Stakes day meetings under strict biosecurity measures.

Up to 10,000 racegoers were allowed to attend Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.Credit:Joe Armao

Two positive cases have been confirmed out of Cup week – a contractor who worked on both Derby and Cup day, and a racegoer who attended Tuesday’s meeting. The limited case numbers have left the state government optimistic that larger crowds could attend upcoming major events.

Seven weeks out from the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG, it’s anticipated at least 80,000 will be allowed to each of the five days of cricket, which would surpass the 78,113 who attended the Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day game this year.

“What a brilliant carnival, and what a way to show the nation and the world that Victoria is back, is buzzing and is open for business,” racing and sports and major events minister Martin Pakula said of Cup week.

“And now, the state’s recovery is gathering pace. With our double dose vaccination rate likely to top 90 per cent soon, Victorians can look forward to having even bigger crowds back at other major events, like the Boxing Day Test and the Australian Open.”

Paul Guerra, chief executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce Industry, said a Melbourne Cup Carnival with crowds “was exactly the shot of confidence Victorians needed”.

“In hospitality venues throughout Victoria, people came together to support local businesses with the racing as an opportunity to re-engage, with that reach continuing beyond our state to the many racecourses across Australia,” Guerra said.

“The message to the world is unmistakable. Victoria is back in business and in just four magnificent days we have reasserted our position as the events capital of Australia.”

Racing will look to further open the gates in coming weeks. The Melbourne Racing Club will host its revamped Zipping Classic meeting at Caulfield this year, on November 27, and MRC chief executive Josh Blanksby said the club was expecting its 15,000 members to relish the opportunity to be back on course.

Alan Jager enjoying being back at the track.Credit:Justin McManus

“There’s pent-up demand from our members, two Caulfield Cups they’ve missed, so we’re keen to get them back in there,” Blanksby said.

“It’s going to be in that Phase D, so it’s going to be unrestricted, no zones and free movement, so it’ll be a very normal race day.”

QR coding on entry will remain a feature at most major events in the foreseeable future, and only double-vaccinated adults, or those with a medical exemption from getting vaccinated, will be able to attend the race days.

But racegoers should be able to arrive at Caulfield and get a general admission ticket at the gate, rather than commit to pre-bookings. Country race clubs will also be able to welcome larger crowds across their summer Cups carnival.

VRC chairman Neil Wilson said Cup week had been a resounding success.

“It was a week of triumphs on and off the track, with Chris Waller and James McDonald uniting to win their first Lexus Melbourne Cup with wonder mare Verry Elleegant and Damien Oliver becoming the most successful jockey in Cup week history with 26 group 1 wins,” Wilson said.

“We welcomed over 30,000 racegoers back to Flemington, generated more than 6000 jobs for the events and hospitality industries, and broke live-streaming audience records with the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“Importantly, we staged a safe event that confirms Victoria is open for business and helped to stimulate Victoria’s hospitality and retail industries as people everywhere came together to revel in the spirit of the Cup.”

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