The Melbourne Cup Carnival launches at Flemington

Special guests included the likes of Gai Waterhouse AO, Michelle Payne OAM, Jamie Kah, James Cummings, Ariarne Titmus OAM and international singing sensation Anastacia.

Hosted by the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s official broadcaster Channel 9’s renowned sports personality Eddie McGuire AM and international racing expert Francesca Cumani, the launch highlighted the worlds of racing, fashion, food, entertainment and community that awaits guests at Flemington this Cup Week.

Lexus Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne OAM and four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus OAM, both Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassadors, made a grand entrance with the 2024 Cup, which has travelled more than 110,000 kilometres on its annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour this year.

Champion trainers James Cummings and Gai Waterhouse provided the audience with news of their Melbourne Cup Carnival hopes, with Cummings confirming his leading three-year-old Broadsiding will compete on TAB Champions Stakes Day following a third placing in the Cox Plate.  James also touched on his work as ambassador for the VRC’s Pin & Win charity partner, Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria and Tasmania.

Leading jockey Jamie Kah gave an overview of some of her key rides during Cup Week including Okita Soushi (Lexus Melbourne Cup), Goldrush Guru (Penfolds Victoria Derby) and Traffic Warden (Coolmore Stud Stakes).

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson then provided media with an insight into this year’s Cup Week festivities.

“This year, we will welcome an elite group of international horses that have travelled across the world to participate against Australia’s best, all searching for the most sought-after prize in world racing, the $750,000 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy,” Mr Wilson said.

“Across the four days, we’ll see 37 races carrying prizemoney of $30 million, with eight Group 1 races headlined by the centrepiece, the 164^th running of the $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“Visitors across the four days will also be entertained by 140 performers including the likes of Anastacia, Empire of the Sun, Ronan Keating, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and the Temper Trap.”

Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines drew attention to the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s important economic contribution to the state. 

“Cup Carnival means a lot of different things to people across Melbourne. But in particular generating $468 million in economic activity and providing employment to some 18,000 Victorians that’s a significant contribution that touches the lives of so many Victorian families,” Mr Carbines said.

“There’s a lot of pride in Melbourne when they put the state on show, not just to Melbourne but to the rest of the world.”

Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Michelle Payne OAM gave her support of this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, as well as a preview of the Guard of Honour formed by racing participants on Crown Oaks Day in honour of patients from The Royal Children’s Hospital, as part of the race day’s community partnership with the Good Friday Appeal.

Penfolds Victoria Derby Day Park headline act, international, multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Anastasia, shared excitement about performing on The Main Stage in just a few days' time.

Key Melbourne Cup Carnival fashion trends were also showcased by models, while 2015 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance and 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment were in attendance, visiting from their home at Living Legends.

The Park, Flemington’s ultimate general admission playground, was activated for the morning, providing media with a sneak peak of the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s must-visit destination for fashionistas, music lovers and foodies including Adam McAsey and Tai Graham from BO$$MAN Burgers, Johnny Di Francesco from Johnny, Vince & Sams Ristorante, 400 Gradi, Yamas, Meat Frankie and Kristian Klein from Ebby and Mr Miyagi.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 2 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November.

All the action can be seen live and free across the Nine Network, the official broadcast partner and new home of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.