Trainer Chris Waller will be watching today’s Melbourne Cup from Sydney despite having two runners in today’s Melbourne Cup in what he calls a “very different” year.
Key points:
- Chris Waller says his two runners have had a good preparation leading up to the race
- There will be no crowds at the race due to Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions
- Beachgoers have been warned to follow the rules as warm weather continues
The horses and most trainers will be at the track but, for the first time in its history, the Melbourne Cup will be celebrated remotely by punters and racing fans alike.
Waller, the trainer of the legendary Winx, said it would be business as usual for his team despite the arrangements.
“We’ve got a big operation, we’re concentrating on getting data from each of these stables each day so it’s pretty normal for us,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
“If anything, the coach is not there and he’s not complicating things.
“I don’t think Verry Elleegant or Finch3 would run 1 centimetre better if I was there.”
Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions mean even a limited number of racing fans and connections are not allowed to attend the race this year.
Victoria’s Racing Minister, Martin Pakula, said despite the easing of some restrictions, it was “not a suitable time for gatherings of this nature”.
The Victorian Government was forced to backflip on a decision to allow some owners and connections to attend the Cox Plate after a public backlash.
Waller said both of his horses have had a good run-up to the big day, including Verry Elleegant’s victory in the Caulfield Cup.
“I wouldn’t swap my two for any others but … there are 24 horses in this hard-to-win race,” he said.
The winner takes home an $8 million prize, with internationals Tiger Moth and Anthony Van Dyck, and Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet, the favourites after the barrier draw.
Waller said the lack of a crowd would be a factor in the race.
“It affects horses in certain ways and certainly creates atmosphere but I’m sure it will still look pretty good watching from home,” he said.
He said the thing that made winning a Melbourne Cup so special was that the jockey and trainer became household names.
“I wouldn’t dare say it’s just another race, but it certainly is a part of history,” he said.
“That’s what this Melbourne Cup does: it creates dreams. Whether you’re a trainer, the strapper, a kid watching at home; it’s what makes careers and futures.”
One thing that hasn’t changed this year is the demonstrations. Animal rights activists staged another protest calling for the race to be called off over animal cruelty concerns.
Activists from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) carried signs saying “Nup to the Cup” and “You bet, they die” before cracking whips full of red powder meant to look like blood.
Melburnians warned to obey restrictions
Melbourne’s beaches are expected to be busy today with an expected top temperature of 29 degrees Celsius in the city.
Beachgoers are being warned not to forget the coronavirus restrictions.
The chief executive of Bayside Council, Mick Cummings, said council officers would be out monitoring the crowds and would call police if things got out of hand.
“We’re not planning to close the beaches,” Mr Cummings said.
“We are expecting a lot of traffic and we are expecting to be busy.
“But if people do the right thing, in terms of maintaining social distance and wearing of masks then we believe it should be manageable.”
