High hopes for Melbourne Cup crowd

FLEMINGTON is working towards 50,000 to 100,000-strong crowds for the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s dual Group 1 Australian CupNewmarket Handicap card, Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich declared the throwback vision to pre-COVID times.

“As we plan for a Melbourne Cup Carnival, there’s no reason we can’t plan and hope for a significant crowd and only one zone,” Rosich said.

“It’s a bit unpredictable what might be in place come November … we can plan for race day meetings between 50,000 and 100,000 people.

“It’s a huge expanse, plenty of space for large crowds, we’re very lucky we can provide that.”

A crowd of about 13,000 is expected on Saturday, with members (zone 1) and general admission (zone 2) limited to the defined and strictly ticketed areas.

Flemington hosted about 9000 last Saturday for the Group 1 Australian Guineas meeting.

Flemington has applied to have the zones removed in time for its Anzac Day meeting on April 25.

“It’s great having big numbers on track, the environment, the atmosphere (last Saturday) with just under 8000-9000 at the track was terrific, with owners in the mounting yard,” Rosich said.