MEDIA GUIDE JOIN THE CONVERSATION facebook.com/flemingtonracecourse youtube.com/flemingtonracecourse @FlemingtonVRC @FlemingtonVRC flemingtonsnaps www.flemington.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival OFFICIAL HASHTAGS: • Melbourne Cup Carnival: #MelbCupCarnival and #LoveCupWeek • AAMI Victoria Derby Day: #DerbyDay • Lexus Melbourne Cup Parade: #ParadeOfChampions • Lexus Melbourne Cup Day: #MelbourneCup • Kennedy Oaks Day #OaksDay • Seppelt Wines Stakes Day: #Stakesday • Myer Fashions on the Field: #MyerFOTF • Victoria Racing Club #VRCMembers KEY EVENT CONTACTS Help Desk: + 61 (0)3 9371 7194 Media Accreditation Enquiries: +61 (0)3 8378 0770 [email protected] Media Relations Enquiries: Emily Morris Alexandra Factor VRC VRC Head of Public Relations, Media & Corporate Communications Manager Corporate Communications +61 (0)3 8378 0729 +61 (0)3 8378 0616 +61 (0)412 149 669 +61 (0)438 700 297 [email protected] [email protected] - 2 - CONTENTS 1.0 WELCOME ........................................................... 4 6.0 THE MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL STORY ������� 26 1.1 Welcome Message from the Chairman .................. 5 6.1 About the Melbourne Cup Carnival ........................27 1.2 Message from the Premier ........................................... 6 6.2 About the Lexus Melbourne Cup .............................28 6.3 The Melbourne Cup’s Origins.....................................29 2.0 EVENT AND MEDIA INFORMATION .................. 7 6.4 Melbourne Cup Timeline ............................................30 2.1 Melbourne Cup Carnival Overview ........................... 8 6.5 The Carnival’s International Appeal ........................31 2.2 What’s on in 2019? ����������������������������������������������������������� 9 6.6 The Illustrious Trophy ...................................................32 2.3 Event Partners ..................................................................10 6.7 The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour ................................34 6.8 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador........35 3.0 RACEDAY HIGHLIGHTS ������������������������������������ 11 7.0 FAST FACTS ........................................................ 36 3.1 AAMI Victoria Derby Day ............................................12 7.1 Economic Impact ............................................................37 3.2 Lexus Melbourne Cup Day ..........................................13 7.2 Attendance and Visitation ..........................................38 3.3 Kennedy Oaks Day .........................................................14 7.3 Equine welfare .................................................................39 3.4 Seppelt Wines Stakes Day ...........................................15 7.4 Melbourne Cup Records ...............................................40 7.5 Melbourne Cup Winners .............................................42 4.0 VENUE INFORMATION ..................................... 16 4.1 Site Map ..............................................................................17 8.0 FASHION AT FLEMINGTON ............................... 47 4.2 Travelling to Flemington ..............................................18 8.1 Myer Fashions on the Field .........................................48 8.2 2019 Myer Fashions on the Field Ambassadors......49 5.0 MEDIA INFORMATION �������������������������������������� 19 5.1 Media Accreditation ......................................................20 9.0 ABOUT THE VRC AND FLEMINGTON ............... 50 5.2 Media Rules .......................................................................23 9.1 About the Victoria Racing Club ................................51 5.3 Dress Code .........................................................................23 9.2 About Flemington ..........................................................52 5.4 Media Facilities ................................................................24 9.3 Event Partners ..................................................................54 5.5 Key Contacts .....................................................................25 - 3 - WELCOME WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE VRC CHAIRMAN* The Melbourne Cup Carnival And what a week it’s going to be with holds a unique place in the new experiences course-wide. hearts and minds of Australians. The bar has been raised across It has been that way since 1861 everything – racing, hospitality, food and the running of the first Cup. and wine, fashion, technology and entertainment. Be prepared for a I wonder what new chapter will be spectacular world-class Cup Week. We written in the history books this year have worked hard to ensure there will after the impressive victory by Cross be something for everyone. Counter in the 2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup, the first win for a British-trained To the participants, and all who are horse. involved with the horses and stables — all the very best of luck. Twelve months ago we were anticipating the opening of The Club I look forward to sharing this amazing Stand – now we are able to reflect on time at our Club with everyone. its outstanding success, delighted by the way our members have embraced it. The famous four days of Cup Week are almost upon us. Each day is filled with time honoured, prestigious and valuable racing at the highest level. Horses, connections, and visitors will travel from all over Australia and the world. The spirit of celebration envelops the city of Melbourne, as all roads lead to Flemington, and the Victoria Racing AMANDA ELLIOTT Club proudly stages the 2019 VRC CHAIRMAN Melbourne Cup Carnival. *Originally appeared in the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival Magazine - 5 - MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER* Welcome to Australia’s premier Congratulations to the trainers, jockeys, racing event, the 159th owners, supporters and sponsors for Melbourne Cup. bringing together this year’s event. Four flagship days of racing Whether you’re in the stands, on the promise to delight Victorians and lawns or one of the millions watching from home, I wish everyone an visitors alike, while showcasing enjoyable – and successful – our state’s leading fashion, Melbourne Cup Carnival. culture, food and wine. Our Carnival is steeped in a rich racing history and tradition, and this year the design of the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Melbourne Cup remains ‘the race that stops a nation’, with festivities attracting competitors and spectators from across the globe. The Andrews Labor Government is proud of our support for Victorian racing – including through our $72 million investment in racing infrastructure and a $40 million increase in prizemoney – and acknowledge the role the industry plays in creating jobs and boosting our THE HON DANIEL ANDREWS MP economy. PREMIER OF VICTORIA *Originally appeared in the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival Magazine. - 6 - EVENTS & MEDIA INFORMATION THE MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL OVERVIEW The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a Every raceday provides its own unique spectacular event that continues offering, whether it’s competitive to deliver four racedays full of racing, high fashion or a culinary excitement, glamour and the experience, there’s a raceday for finest thoroughbred racing. everyone. The event is staged by the Victoria While the Melbourne Cup Carnival is Racing Club (VRC) at the world- a racing event at its core, it celebrates renowned Flemington Racecourse, all that Melbourne does best: world- which comes alive for the Carnival and class sport, fashion, entertainment captures the imagination of people and hospitality. nationwide and beyond. At the centre of the Melbourne Cup Visitors from all points of the globe Carnival is four days of impressive are expected to converge on famous thoroughbred racing: Flemington to experience the • AAMI Victoria Derby Day excitement of the 2019 Melbourne – Saturday 2 November 2019 Cup Carnival first-hand. • Lexus Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday 5 November 2019 • Kennedy Oaks Day – Thursday 7 November 2019 • Seppelt Wines Stakes Day – Saturday 9 November 2019 The Melbourne Cup Carnival will unite fans across Australia and around the world in the thrilling spectacle that is 'the race that stops a nation'. Australians love their sport, but the Melbourne Cup holds a very special place in history. Since Archer won the first race by six lengths in 1861, it has captured our hearts and imaginations. THE HON SCOTT MORRISON MP – PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA For all event information, please visit www.flemington.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival - 8 - WHAT’S ON IN 2019? This year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival row of the Birdcage incorporating a For those in Sydney who can’t make it is set to offer an unrivalled event live studio for programs including The to Flemington for Lexus Melbourne experience across each of the four Project and Studio 10, 10 News First Cup Day, Barangaroo will be the place and The Loop. to be, with Cup Day Festival returning racedays: AAMI Victoria Derby for a third year. Cup Day Festival will Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, The world-famous Birdcage has been again bring the exhilarating action of Kennedy Oaks Day and Seppelt reimagined in 2019, with Australia’s ‘the race that stops a nation’™ to Wines Stakes Day. most prestigious corporate hospitality Sydney at a public live site in the real estate to feature an entrance harbour city’s newest waterfront The Lexus Melbourne Cup prizemoney reflective of the global nature of the precinct. reaches a record A$8 million this year, Melbourne Cup Carnival, an injection with prizemoney and bonuses for the of colour into the streets