Despite the current pandemic situation showing no real signs of abating, the Victoria Racing Club is still hoping for a sizeable crowd to be allowed on Melbourne Cup Day.
The situation at present means that plans could be scuppered. The VRC is still anticipating more than 10,000 to be allowed into Flemington Racecourse on November 2, with up to 11,500 being their best-case scenario right now.
For more information on this year’s edition, check out our complete Melbourne Cup betting guide.
Members Facing Fight to Attend
After an unfortunate uptick in positive local cases, the Cup crowd is not a done deal. This is already the second year the Cup has been staged in unfamiliar circumstances. In 2020, the race was hosted with no crowd in the stands and a limit on other horsemen and personnel.
Priority for attendance will go to members, however even that represents a problem. With such a limited crowd allowed, competition is likely to be fierce among them to see who can attend Flemington on the day of their choice.
The Victoria Racing Club boasts around 30,000 members at present. Many if not all will get to attend the Carnival, though the day of their choice may not be possible. Allocation of race day passes will be left up to the VRC.
Plans have been submitted by the VRC to state government authorities. They set out proposals to allow up to 11,500 people in each day. For their part, the VRC has stated publicly that they feel they are able to deliver those crowds safely.
Plans are subject to change however, with the final decided actions to be communicated to all members of the Victoria Racing Club by October 15 at the latest.
Crowds Likely but Potentially Reduced Further
Naturally, there are many mitigating outside factors influencing the decisions made by state government and the VRC. Falling infection rates and an increase in vaccine take-up are of course crucial.
With these things in mind, the target of 11,500 daily attendees at the track are really an upper limit. This figure is dependent on the VRC’s plans being approved, with the real crowd figure potentially being, if not even likely to be, much lower.
Those in power are to consider a range of issues before approval can be granted. These issues affect the wider area and are not solely concerned with horse racing or the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
That being said, the VRC are essentially going in to bat on behalf of the industry. They will make their case for large crowds, putting forth a plan of action that guarantees the safety of all those attending to ensure a second Melbourne Cup doesn’t go by with no race goers there to witness the action.
How Does a Lack of Crowds Affect the Race?
For the greater good of the sport and the big race itself, crowds are hugely important. They generate not only an atmosphere, but money for the sport too.
Unlike with cricket or rugby however, the lack of crowds for those within the sport isn’t always negative. Some horses get spooked by large crowds and heavy noise, meaning the current climate is better for their performance.
No winning jockey wants to salute an empty stand however, meaning for the sporting participants a big attendance is much more beneficial to the human sportsmen on display, if not for the equine talent.
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