THERE will be many more than 50,000 people in the Flemington area today seeking out differing displays of horsepower, but whether they are there to see the world's fastest racehorse or the world's favourite television show, remains to be seen, reports The Age.It says: The Victoria Racing Club's chief executive Dale Monteith expects more than 25,000 patrons will turn up to the racecourse to see unbeaten mare Black Caviar's attempt, in the Newmarket Handicap, at a perfect 10 from 10 at the club's
THERE will be many more than 50,000 people in the Flemington area today seeking out differing displays of horsepower, but whether they are there to see the world's fastest racehorse or the world's favourite television show, remains to be seen, reports The Age.
It says: The Victoria Racing Club's chief executive Dale Monteith expects more than 25,000 patrons will turn up to the racecourse to see unbeaten mare Black Caviar's attempt, in the Newmarket Handicap, at a perfect 10 from 10 at the club's Super Saturday meeting. But that number is likely to be matched if not surpassed next door at the showgrounds where a program of Top Gear is being filmed, ensuring traffic headaches for both venues.
Despite the clash and the modest attendance target set by the VRC, racing officials will be left scratching their heads if less than 25,000 turned up to see Black Caviar. Following the summer rains, the Flemington surrounds have never looked better and the track is in superb shape following a good soaking earlier this week. Two weeks out from the start of the AFL season, on what is expected to be a fine, sunny day at horse racing's version of the MCG, there will be no room for doubt as to where the sport of horse racing sits with the public outside of the spring carnival, if the crowd is not substantial.
Monteith said about 27,000 people turned up to the first Super Saturday meeting at Flemington in 2004, when Lonhro got off the canvas to score. The modern-day Australian Cup record stands at about 31,000 when Cox Plate champion Bonecrusher nosed out Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq in 1987.