The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) officially launched the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival today at Flemington’s newest fashion and entertainment destination, The Park – and what a destination it is.
With a footprint of 10,000 square meters, The Park will be accessible to all race-goers who wish to enjoy a tasty-treat from pop-up stalls set up by some of Melbourne’s hottest restaurants, including: Hanoi Hannah, Saigon Sally, Huxtaburger, Gelato Messina, Biggie Smalls, Doughnut Time and Knafeh. There will also be a L’Oréal Paris Powder Room, to freshen up one’s visage after screaming home a winner, and, of course, a cocktail caravan park artfully positioned under the boughs of a lovely tree. I might just set up camp.
The Park is also the new home of a super-sized Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure, and the Yellowglen Terrace, you might remember from this post, has also jumped ship from trackside.
The only thing it doesn’t have is a view of actual horse racing, with the precinct sitting behind the massive members grandstand adjacent to the train station. I don’t think people who plan on attending the area will mind however, with its focus firmly on entertainment and generating a carnival atmosphere all its own. There will be screens placed everywhere within the enclosure and, if you wish to place a bet, a huge TAB punting facility plonked right beside the food and beverage stalls, but I suspect everyone will be too busy on the vintage Ferris wheel or hanging out in the cocktail caravan park to care. It’s a wonderful addition to the entire Spring racing spectacle, and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. Giddy up!
