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A crowd will be on course at Flemington to watch the 2021 Melbourne Cup.
The Victoria Racing Club has revealed their ticketing details for a COVID safe Melbourne Cup Carnival.
A crowd of 10,000 has been approved for Melbourne Cup Day with 10,000 possible for Oaks Day and Final Day if Victoria reaches the State Government's 80% double vaccination requirement, which it currently is on track to do.
VRC members will receive the largest share of the tickets, around 7000, while owners, VRC season corporate partners, sponsors and the general public have been allocated the remainder.
All racegoers will be allocated a reserved seat under the plan with other requirements including the need for patrons to be double vaccinated, show proof of vaccination upon entry to Flemington, wear a mask indoors and outdoors, and be seated when eating and drinking.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the Club was extremely grateful to host crowds at Flemington this year, acknowledging the responsibility to run the trial event on Melbourne Cup Day and demonstrate that Victoria can re-open safely.
"The VRC is incredibly proud that this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival is playing a role to revive major events in Victoria," Wilson said.
The 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival was run without crowds and this year's Carnival, with potentially 10,000 patrons on the final three days, is way day on previous years where crowds of 100,000 can be reached.
The VRC has also had preliminary discussions with the State Government on the prospect of hosting patrons on Victoria Derby Day as a trial, with forecasts indicating that the 80% double dose threshold could be reached ahead of Melbourne Cup Day.
