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| Staff Writer |
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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 race day 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 finalize the numbers and the arrangements by the end of this month.
While attendance for the Melbourne Cup hinges on whether 80 percent 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.