Melbourne Spring Carnival Remains The Same

The song remains the same for the time being as the VRC handed down its decision to run the Caulfield Cup in its traditional date 2 and a half weeks before the Melbourne Cup.

Racing Victoria Chairman Brian Kruger said, “. . . the Board agreed that any case for major change owing to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic did not provide compelling outcomes with enough certainty to outweigh the benefits of retaining the existing structure . . .” Kruger also noted that even though opinion was varied amongst wagering operators (VRC’c largest source of income), any potential gains were not guaranteed.

Another pertinent point that Kruger raised was that stability was preferable in such uncertain times. Stating that competing with AFL & NRL (due to their comp delays) would be difficult he said, “. . . we were ultimately of the opinion that it couldn’t be the primary driver for change in a year in which uncertainty still abounds.”

Melbourne is known for its progressives and there are plenty who have vented discontent over the decision. MRC executive chairman Jake Norton tweeted, “One largely overlooked element of the spring program debate is the frightening decline in engagement in racing pre-C19, particularly last spring. If that prevails again this spring, the positions of many in the status quo set will surely become untenable.” Something also overlooked is Victoria’s sharp turn toward socialism and left wing causes that has seen major protests and negative publicity at every Melbourne Cup for many a year now. It’s becoming as much a tradition as the race itself. Racing Victoria may have also realised that Sydney and a Mr P V’landys would likely have replaced the Caulfield Cup with a similar 2400m race on the traditional date had RV been silly enough to move it to the end of November.

Below is a schedule of the Racing Victoria’s major races of the 2020 spring.