Victoria Racing Club hopeful of crowds of up to 15,000 on Melbourne Cup day

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) could aim for crowds as large as 15,000 on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington following state government support.

The Club originally applied for a maximum crowd of 5,000 for Australian racing's flagship raceday on November 2 but a new application to the state government could see the attendance more than tripled, although officials at the VRC would not confirm exact numbers at this stage.

VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said: "In terms of numbers, there's a bit to work through. Our liaison with the government will continue on a day to day basis and we will work closely with them over the next few weeks. We are hoping to finalise the numbers and the arrangements by the end of this month.

"The indications are that there could be above that 5,000 mark and we are certainly hoping so. It will predominantly be a crowd made up of VRC members and season guest holders. But those details are to be worked through."

Victoria state officials were hopeful that they would be able to welcome back spectators in time for the Melbourne Cup as one the first major events with vaccinated crowds following the indicative dates specified in the government's roadmap out of lockdown, which were announced on Sunday.

"The Victorian State Government announcement on Sunday on the roadmap out of lockdown was important to the broader community and not just sporting events, including the Melbourne Cup carnival," Rosich added.

"We welcome that announcement, it certainly gives us confidence to plan the way forward and we are looking forward to finalising some details, ideally over the next few weeks and then getting out to members by the end of the month."

'We understand the decision'

While attendance for the Melbourne Cup hinges on whether 80 per cent of Victorians will be fully vaccinated in time, the Moonee Valley Racing Club confirmed the two-day Cox Plate Carnival will be held behind closed doors once more.

The meeting, which takes place on October 22 and 23, falls well before the vaccination target of November 5 and joins the Caulfield Cup Carnival – due to take place the week before – in being hosted without crowds for the second year in succession.

Moonee Valley: will not have any crowd for the Cox Plate againCredit: Racing Photos

"The club hoped that spectators could be welcomed back to racecourses once Victoria reached the 70 per cent fully vaccinated target, which could be achieved in Cox Plate week," Moonee Valley Racing Club's CEO Michael Browell said.

"We understand the decision made to wait until achieving 80 per cent full vaccination is in the best interests of the broader community.

"Whilst it is disappointing that the pandemic has again impacted our Cox Plate Carnival, we look forward to a highly competitive 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate where the best middle-distance horses will contest the race's 101st running."

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