The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) officially launched the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington today with the help of Olympic champion and Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Ariarne Titmus.
Hosted by Network 10’s Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcasters Eddie McGuire and Francesca Cumani. Francesca said, “I haven’t been here for three years I never thought anything could keep me away from the Melbourne Cup.” Eddie replies saying, “it’s a little more glamorous to have you back here than doing a live cross to Network 10, from the stables at 3 a.m.”
Today’s launch was exciting with an insight into the wonderful Melbourne Cup Carnival kicking off this Saturday with the Penfolds Victoria Derby. The four-day racing carnival and extravaganza is going to be glorious with not only exceptional horse racing but, delicious food and wine, awesome Australian music, and world-class fashion.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson expects the return of capacity crowds of up to 300,000 and Racegoers can look forward to the new look Birdcage Enclosure, The Park, and Club Lawn areas.
Racing royalty including champion trainer and VRC Ambassador Gai Waterhouse, Hall of Fame jockey and record-holder for the greatest number of winners for a jockey during Melbourne Cup Carnivals Damien Oliver was also present. Damien said, “you know we have horses coming from all over the world, Jockeys and Trainers as well and it’s highly sought after to try and win here Melbourne Cup week but it’s not easy, it’s even more challenging when you come from the other side of the world. Local knowledge is really important to have here, and to have inside knowledge is so important and a big advantage for us, but it’s the same, a disadvantage when we go to the other side of the world.”
VRC Ambassador and Group 1 winning jockey Jamie Kah, and the English trainer of this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend James Ferguson also shared their insights into the best week of Australian racing.
To celebrate 60 years of Myer Fashions on the Field, 2017 national winner and VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber-Peters was welcomed as an official Fashion on the Field Ambassador. Crystal says she wants people to showcase their own unique style. She said, “I personally love unexpected colour combinations, different textures and a clever use of accessories.” Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Christian Wilkins also attended today’s launch and said, “fashion is a form of self-expression, it’s the identity and it’s part of whom we are and finding a community. For an institution as historic as the VRC it’s so wonderful they’ve recognised that and will make everyone feel welcome”.
And to round out the Melbourne Cup Carnival experience Mushroom Records Chief Executive Officer Matt Gudinski, Crown Executive Chef at VRC Josh Pelham, The Byerley Head Chef Guillaume Brahimi and Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador and cook Diana Chan also took to the stage to talk entertainment and the full Flemington hospitality experience which is sure to tantalise a few tastebuds.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with:
Penfolds Victoria Derby Day – Saturday 29 October.
Lexus Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday 1 November.
Kennedy Oaks Day – Thursday 3 November.
TAB Champions Stakes Day – Saturday 5 November.
Written and attended by Melinda Sullivan
Images by Melinda Sullivan
For more information and to buy tickets to the Melbourne Cup Carnival please visit www.vrc.com.au.
