Fun gets big boost for Melbourne Cup Day

ACT Health have given Canberra Racing permission for a crowd of 1000 punters on Melbourne Cup Day at Thoroughbred Park on Tuesday, which will be the first big post-COVID event in the capital.

The extra 500 tickets went on sale on Friday afternoon after approval came through about lunchtime.

It's not the 5000 they'd normally get on the first Tuesday in November, but it's a start back towards whatever the new normal will be.

It's also the first race meeting in Canberra since early August when Canberra went into lockdown.

They were forced to either cancel their meetings or shift them to Queanbeyan due to the border restrictions preventing enough key racing personnel, like jockeys, to enter the ACT.

"That's all locked in. We're very grateful to receive the exemption for the additional 500 patrons, so we'll now be opening up two additional areas to the general public," Racing Canberra chief executive Andrew Clark said.

"It's a big boost for the racing community. It's great to get back on track and to have the opportunity for members, owners and the general public to come back on course really reinforces the fact we're back and open for business.

"It's a great sign for all."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

Clark was expecting a similar crowd to be allowed at their next meeting - on November 14 - but he was hopeful it might get expanded again for the one after that.

Further easing of restrictions were expected on November 26, when that race meet will be held.

It could open the way for work functions in the lead up to the Festive Season.

"It'll be a good opportunity for Christmas parties and the like, so hopefully we can welcome some more as we start to ease out of tighter restrictions," Clark said.

In a tragedy for Canberra's fashionistas, the lateness of the ACT government's approval for the meeting to go ahead meant there wasn't time to organise the traditional fashions on the fields.

They'll just have to assume they were best dressed.

But there will be a band and a DJ to help with the post-lockdown vibe.

"We will have some entertainment on course - there will be a small band and a DJ in a second area," Clark said.

"Obviously with the late notice to be able to actually race and have a crowd, we couldn't organise fashions on the field - but it is good to have some entertainment on the course to help people enjoy the afternoon.

"We want everyone to have a fun and exciting day at the races - in a COVID-safe way - but we definitely want them to enjoy themselves."