A Kentucky Derby-style plan for excess racegoers to line the inside of the track would allow The Everest to be run in front of 50,000 people in coming years, smashing the modern-day Royal Randwick crowd record.
Just days out from the seventh running of the world’s richest turf race, Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club have had advanced discussions about opening up the infield to punters, potentially as soon as next year.
The demand for tickets will mean The Everest is run in front of a crowd expected to reach 45,000 on Saturday, the maximum allowed under licensing restrictions, despite Australians going to the polls for the Voice referendum.
However, after watching the Kentucky Derby, the United States’ most successful race, which crams punters into the middle of Churchill Downs, Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys and Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran want to increase capacity for The Everest.
“We want it, but we didn’t want to rush it this year,” McGauran said. “We’ve had a good look at the Kentucky experience and there’s definitely scope for it because it’s relaxed. You can go in your sneakers, jeans and a shirt. It’s less expensive.
“Even if we run at a loss, but bring in 4000 or 5000 who wouldn’t otherwise come to the races, then it’s a worthwhile exercise in crowd development. We’ll work on it and I think it’s more likely than not we’ll have an infield crowd in time. It’s all doable, and we would love to have it.”
Royal Randwick’s unique set-up will pose added problems the Kentucky Derby doesn’t have, notably a string of training tracks and a car park located on the inside of the course proper.
The ATC also has a 150-metre long LED screen used for advertisements that runs on the inside of the straight, meaning an elevated structure would need to be built to allow crowds to see the races from the infield.
Officials have also discussed how best to bring crowds to the vantage point given they wouldn’t be allowed to enter from the Alison Road side.
“It does make it difficult, but nothing is impossible,” V’landys said. “We’ve already built the Winx Stand, which can hold up to 6000 people, and if it can be done having more people on track with the use of the infield, we’ll definitely do it.”
The Victoria Racing Club has long made use of its vast Flemington track with major marquees on the infield, and The Everest’s popularity is forcing Sydney organisers to think of new ways to cater for fans.
While McGauran forecast any potential infield crowd will have a relaxed dress code, the ATC has already cleared larrikin businessmen Gerry Harvey and John Singleton to enter the mounting yard and members’ area with Hawaiian clothes on Saturday.
Harvey and Singleton race top sprinter Hawaii Five Oh, one of 12 horses vying for the $7 million first prize in The Everest.
The pair have been known to support their horse by wearing Hawaiian-themed clothes on track, which doesn’t meet the strict dress codes of many major race clubs.
“I would prefer if they wore a Hawaiian shirt, Hawaiian tie and a Hawaiian jacket, but I won’t be a stickler for protocol,” McGauran said with a laugh.
“They’re colourful characters and long-time investors in the industry who have given employment and enjoyment to a lot of people. They should put their tailors to good use between now and Saturday, but if they turn up in Hawaiian shirts they will be most welcome in those areas.”
Hawaii Five Oh was a $13 chance with Sportsbet on Wednesday and will be one of two runners for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, who will also saddle up $10 million mare Alcohol Free. She is the most expensive horse ever brought to Australia.
Singleton remained buoyant about the chances of his entire, which he bought into for $1 million when he spotted the colt playing up in a paddock of Harvey’s Barramul Stud in the Hunter Valley.
“There are winning horses and almost horses,” Singleton said. “We still argue whether horses know where the finish post is and others who don’t, but Super Impose proved it to me. We go in with great hopes and The Everest is a great promotion.”
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