Melbourne Cup Carnival

Melbourne Cup Carnival

The race is on to secure tickets to the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Racegoers who snap up this year's early bird ticket offer will experience the Melbourne Cup Carnival's legendary racing, fashion and fun at 2008 prices.

And the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will continue to offer free admission to Flemington for children under 16"a rarity for a major event.

VRC Chief Executive Simon Love said the Melbourne Cup Carnival represents incredible value.

'We are continuing to improve the Carnival experience through new facilities, technology such as free wifi, innovative food offerings and entertainment, while winding back ticket prices for those who purchase early and admitting children for free," Mr Love said.

Last year's Melbourne Cup Carnival was one of Victoria's biggest tourism events, attracting almost 75,000 visitors from outside of the state, including more than 27,000 from New South Wales and 16,000 from Queensland.

'In all, the 2015 Melbourne Cup Carnival saw over 36 per cent of attendees at the four days at Flemington from outside of Victoria," Mr Love said.

That figure is on the rise with those interstate expected to lead the rush for tickets to general admission, reserved seating, and a variety of dining, corporate hospitality and marquee offerings"many of which sell out months before the first Tuesday in November.

'The Melbourne Cup Carnival has become a celebration right across Melbourne and an experience that people throughout Australia and around the world are quite rightly putting on their bucket lists," Mr Love said.

'Racegoers have the opportunity to be a part of history in the making. The Melbourne Cup Carnival never disappoints, and just in the last decade we've witnessed the record breaking feats of Michelle Payne, Black Caviar and Makybe Diva. It's a remarkable experience each and every year."

A national marketing campaign will feature a stable of racing royalty"both prominent and grassroots"including jockeys Michelle Payne and Craig Williams, trainers Chris Waller and Matt Cumani, Myer milliners Richard Nylon and Viktoria Novak, Australia's first female racing judge, Natashia Radford, media personality Shane Anderson, saddler Sophie Clark and a host of retired-from-racing 'Off the Track" thoroughbreds.

The VRC funds the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival at a cost of $50million which in turn attracts more than 315,000 racegoers to Flemington each year and injects almost $400 million into the Victorian economy (more than $700 million nationally), bolstered by growing tourism numbers.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with AAMI Victoria Derby Day on 29 October, followed by Emirates Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 1 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 3 November and Emirates Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.

Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets, reserved seating and hospitality packages can be purchased from www.flemington.com.au

In the Melbourne Cup Carnival playground

Michelle Payne, jockey

Hailing from racing's famous Payne family, Michelle has long been a pioneer for women in racing. She became a household name in 2015, as the first female jockey to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup. Since then, Payne has been an inspiration for women all around the world, and will be seeking to make it back to back Cups in 2016.

Craig Williams, jockey

Renowned for his professionalism and dedication to his craft, Williams has tasted more international success than any other current Australian jockey, with Group 1 wins in six countries. The Emirates Melbourne Cup is the only Australian major he hasn't collected; a fact he is intent on remedying.

Georgia Connolly, Flemington Ambassador and VRC Young Member

Talented equestrian athlete, Flemington Ambassador, punter, racehorse owner and VRC Young Member. Connolly has many loves and an appreciation for all facets of the sport of kings. But it's her love of the horse that trumps them all, including her two Off the Track thoroughbreds Millie and Henry, her eventing partners.

Alison Saville, racing enthusiast

An equine business consultant, racehorse owner, breeder, VRC Member and former Myer Fashions on the Field ambassador; racing is Saville's personal and professional passion. As the daughter of Black Caviar connections, she followed the great mare on her global adventure, experiencing each of the 25 victories live and has enjoyed the rare privilege of sitting on the mare's famous frame.

Simon O'Donnell

A former champion Australian cricketer, Simon O'Donnell has firmly established himself as a respected racing identity through his horse ownership ventures and media roles. Having come within a nose of Emirates Melbourne Cup victory in 2008, he is intent on seeing OTI Racing's famous navy, gold and white silks carried to victory in Australia's greatest race.

Natashia Radford

A multi-talented horsewoman, Radford is the first accredited female race judge in Australian history. With a love of riding that started at eight years of age, Radford remains a regular equestrian competitor and has plans to add breeding and ownership to her racing CV.  

Chris Burt-Allan

A prominent blogger and Myer Fashions on the Field regular, Burt-Allan believes that racing is as much about fashion as it is horses.

Peter Tran

A men's racewear winner of Myer Fashions on the Field, Tran could teach you a thing or two about looking good trackside.