Crowd gets OK for Cup day action

FLEMINGTON Racecourse will welcome 10,000 punters on the first Tuesday of November, with the Melbourne Cup given the go-ahead with fans as Victoria reopens.

The Cup will be staged just days after a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, October 30, as Victoria nears its 80 per cent double vaccination rate.

The news from Premier Daniel Andrews came as Victoria recorded 1890 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and five deaths on Sunday.

In addition to Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day will also be able to welcome up to 10,000 patrons should the 80 per cent milestone be passed as expected in the first few days of November.

There will be five zones at Flemington, with punters required to stay in allocated seats. Anyone wanting to attend will need to be fully vaccinated, or have a valid exemption, and wear a mask.

“This is about us as a state and economy and community being open and us having done everything we can now to fight against this virus, having stuck together, having looked out for each other, having got vaccinated is the most important part,” Mr Andrews said.