- Thunderstorm is forecast for the afternoon
- New favourites will emerge on a softer track
- 2022 winner Gold Trip performs well in the wet
For the millions of Australians planning to have a bet on the Melbourne Cup this year, it’d be a worth keeping an eye on the skies as well as the form guide.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting the threat of an afternoon thunderstorm at Flemington Racecourse when an expected 100,000 punters are expected to turn up for the biggest race of the year.
Victoria Race Club Senior Track Manager Liam O’Keeffe said there’s a ‘medium chance of showers’, most likely in the afternoon and evening with the chance of a thunderstorm’ forecast.
‘There is the chance of a storm on Tuesday afternoon,’ O’Keeffe said.
‘At the moment it’s a chance so that’s something to monitor as the next couple of days roll on.
There is a chance of a thunderstorm at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday afternooon
Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip does very well of a soft track
‘It’s not forecast to come until midafternoon 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 a case of if it does happen, it might not happen until after the Cup is run.’
Meteorologist Dean Narramore said the showers would likely arrive in the afternoon and with them will come wind – so attendees should take a jacket.
‘Those heading to Flemington Racecourse should prepare for windy conditions with winds forecast to be north to northeasterly at a speed of 20 to 30 km/h, tending north-easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening,’ he said.
‘Overall, for Victoria, it will be warm to hot and partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorm activity across all but the far west of the state, mainly during the afternoon and evening.’
The possibility of wild weather will do more than interrupt the frock and hat plans of female racegoers.
Gold Trip, the defending champ and a genuine top-class competitor, showed last year what he can do on a softer track. He’s at his best in the wet and his owners believe he’s never looked in finer form.
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 a good reason.
Irish galloper Vauban is the favourite to win on Tuesday and has also won in the wet before
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori gave his opinion on Tuesday on the two horses he believes are the best chances of winnng the Melbourne Cup, considering the weather forecast.
‘If the ground stays dry, Absurde, but if we get the thunderstorm they are expecting, last year’s winner Gold Trip,’ he told Nine’s TODAY Show.
