Lexus Melbourne Cup Carnival to support flood-affected communities

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chairman Neil Wilson announced the Melbourne Cup Carnival is making an initial pledge of $500,000 to relief efforts.

With the support of Network 10 and other partners, the VRC will announce the final amount raised from the Melbourne Cup Carnival at the end of TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the club wanted to use the Melbourne Cup Carnival to assist flood-affected communities.

“As we embark on the celebration that stops the nation, we are also acutely aware that right across the country Australians are dealing with the devastation caused by the floods. The Melbourne Cup Carnival will use its platform to raise awareness of the ongoing situation and contribute much-needed funds.

“With the support of our partners and those directly engaged with the Melbourne Cup Carnival, today we have announced a pledge of $500,000 to aid the relief and recovery efforts.

“Our thoughts are with those living in communities impacted by the floods.”

The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival was launched at Flemington today with the help of Olympic champion and Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Ariarne Titmus OAM.

Titmus made a show stopping entrance into Flemington’s famous Mounting Yard on horseback with this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy, ahead of the ‘race that stops a nation’™ in just eight days’ time.

Hosted by Network 10’s Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcasters Eddie McGuire AM and Francesca Cumani, the launch celebrated everything that makes the Melbourne Cup Carnival glorious including the exceptional racing, delicious food and wine, awesome Australian music and world-class fashion.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson detailed what this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival will look like with the return of crowds of up to 300,000, and what racegoers can look forward to including the new look Birdcage Enclosure, The Park and Club Lawn areas.

Racing Minister the Hon. Anthony Carbines spoke to the significant positive economic impact racing and the associated retail and tourism spend has on the state, along with the State Government’s investment in the industry and equine welfare initiatives.

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, 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 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, Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Christian Wilkins and milliner and Myer Fashions on the Field Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award winner 2018 and 2011 Rebecca Share reflected on the competitions illustrious history and what we can expect to see trackside as part of this year’s reimagined competition.

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 took to the stage to talk entertainment and the full Flemington hospitality experience.

The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day this Saturday 29 October, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 1 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 3 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.