- A thunderstorm is forecast for the afternoon
- New favorites will emerge on a smoother track
- The 2022 Gold Trip winner performs well in the wet
For the millions of Australians considering betting on the Melbourne Cup this year, it might be worth keeping an eye on the sky as well as the forms guide.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the threat of an afternoon thunderstorm at Flemington Racecourse as 100,000 punters are expected for the biggest race of the year.
Victoria Race Club senior racecourse manager Liam O’Keeffe said there was a “medium risk of showers”, most likely in the afternoon and evening, with a risk of thunderstorms foreseen.
“There is a risk of thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon,” O’Keeffe said.
“At the moment it’s an opportunity, so it’s something to watch over the next few days.
There is a risk of thunderstorms at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip performs well on soft track
“It’s not expected to happen until mid-afternoon, so we’ll just monitor it over the next 48 hours and if we need to adjust our plans, we will.”
“It could also be that if it happens, it might not happen until after the Cup has taken place.”
Meteorologist Dean Narramore said showers were likely to arrive in the afternoon and would come with wind – so participants should take a jacket.
“Those heading to Flemington Racecourse should prepare for windy conditions, with winds forecast from north to north-east at a speed of 20-30km/h, tending north-east at 15-20km /h in the evening,” he said.
“Overall for Victoria it will be warm to hot and partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms everywhere except the far west of the state, mainly in the afternoon and evening.”
The possibility of wild weather will do more than disrupt race participants’ dress and hat plans.
Gold Trip, reigning champion and true top competitor, showed last year what he was capable of on a softer track. He is at his best in the wet and his owners think he has never been in better shape.
Irish galloper Vauban, who on paper has the best credentials in the race, has won in the wet before and is heavily backed to win the race for good reason.
Irish galloper Vauban is favorite to win on Tuesday and has won in the wet before.
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori gave his thoughts on Tuesday on which two horses he believes have the best chances of winning the Melbourne Cup, given the weather forecast.
“If the ground stays dry, Absurd, but if we get the storm they’re expecting, last year’s Gold Trip winner,” he told Nine’s TODAY Show.
