Australian Turf Club calls for a public holiday in NSW like Victoria for Melbourne Cup
Martin Fletcher, Joe Mihaljevic, Ashley Lane, Ben Collins and Ryan Way at the City Tattersalls Club Cup Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Picture: Ken Butti
With Melbourne Cup just around the corner, the Australian Turf Club’s Tony Partridge is calling on the state government to give Sydney a day off like Victoria to celebrate the race that stops a nation.
The general manager of sales and commercial said the ATC was investing in Melbourne Cup Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse over the next few years to attract regular sellout crowds.
Tanya Doyle, Felicity Burridge and Airlie Winter all dressed up and ready for Melbourne Cup celebrations at Randwick Racecourse. Picture: Bradley Hunter
“The whole country is thinking about racing on Melbourne Cup, it makes sense to have our product front and centre,” he said.
“Everyone either has a half day or a full day off on Melbourne Cup. I would like to see a public holiday in Sydney like Melbourne, it’s only fair.”
Horses pass the finish post at City Tattersalls Club Cup at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Picture: Anthony Johnson
Royal Randwick will host eight local races on Tuesday, November 4, plus all of the action from Flemington will be broadcast on the largest Superscreen in Australia.
“The beauty of Melbourne Cup is we get new customers into racing, people celebrate at Randwick for the first time,” Mr Partridge said.
Japanese horse, Admire Rakti is a Melbourne Cup favourite after winning the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne on Saturday October 18.
“It will be interesting to see the international jockeys and horses go against the Aussies,” Mr Partridge said.
Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday, November 6. Gates open at 9.30am, Cost is $40. First race is at 11.30am. There will be pop-up bars, complimentary Clinique makeup touch-ups and live entertainment. Buy tickets at theraces.com.au
Source: Daily Telegraph - 3rd November 2014
