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'It's unheard of': Strange weather anomaly to hit Melbourne Cup

australian associated press
·3-min read
Horses are pictured racing at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
Temperatures are set to top 30 degrees for the running of the Melbourne Cup at the Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Melbourne Cup is set to be affected by unusually high temperatures unseen since the 2014 race.

Temperatures are forecast to hit 30 degrees in Melbourne according to the Bureau of Meteorology, the highest temperature the Cup has been run under in six years.

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The COVID-19 pandemic and the Victorian government's Cox Plate backflip have conspired to ensure the famous course will be crowd-free for Tuesday's $7.75 million race.

Attendance for the race that stops the nation has been dwindling, last year falling to its lowest point since 1995 as the temperature didn't creep above 19C.

Channel Nine reporter Christine Ahern told Channel 9’s Today it was ‘unheard of’ for the Cup to be run in such warm conditions.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Rod Dickson is predicting dry and mostly sunny conditions across Victoria for the annual public holiday.

Melburnians can have two adults plus dependents from one household visit their house, with Cup organisers selling home-delivered gourmet food and alcohol packs curated by the likes of Neil Perry.

Alternatively, race-goers can opt to flock to parks and public gardens in groups of up to 10 to make the most of the fine weather.

Pubs and bars are also hoping to cash in on Tuesday's traditionally bumper trading day after finally reopening to customers last week.

Dozens of businesses are hosting Cup day-themed events across the city, with outdoor and indoor dining limits of 50 and 20 respectively.

Legendary jockey's tip to win the Melbourne Cup

Chris Munce knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and he believes English Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck fits the bill.

Munce landed the 1998 Melbourne Cup aboard Jezabeel, who was sensationally backed from $9 into $7 favouritism with media mogul Kerry Packer leading the charge against the bookies.

After looking beaten in the straight, Jezabeel fought back bravely to edge out fellow New Zealander Champagne to win by a neck in a gripping finish.

Munce believes Anthony Van Dyck can add the Melbourne Cup to his CV which also includes last year's English Derby.

English Derby winning horse Anthony Van Dyck has been tipped by former Cup winner Chris Munce as a hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
English Derby winning horse Anthony Van Dyck has been tipped by former Cup winner Chris Munce as a hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

The entire is second favourite at $8.50 with TAB Fixed Odds to win on Tuesday after finishing runner-up to Verry Elleegant in the Caulfield Cup.

"I think his run in the Caulfield Cup was as good a trial as you'd want to see anywhere," Munce said.

"I know everyone dismisses that sort of flashing run but I just felt he had a few things against him with a wide run but he just kept powering to the line under pressure.

"He looks like a horse looking for Flemington, looking for a big track and looking for two miles so he's my selection that I'd like to be riding if I was in the Cup this year."

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