Capacity Cox Plate crowd warned to 'pack a poncho'

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This was published 6 years ago

Capacity Cox Plate crowd warned to 'pack a poncho'

By Joe Hinchliffe
Updated

A capacity crowd is expected at Moonee Valley to witness champion mare Winx chase her 22nd consecutive win and third Cox Plate on the trot on Saturday.

But those 32,000-odd punters have been told to pack wet weather gear along with their fascinators, frocks and fancy suits with cool conditions and the chance of showers throughout the day.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Rod Dickson said about one millimetre of rain fell on the track early Saturday morning – and more light rain loomed.

"Most of the day will be dry but there is still the slight risk of a shower throughout the afternoon," he said.

Ella Sibley,5, gets rugged up by Grandmother Rosemary Mann at last year's Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

Ella Sibley,5, gets rugged up by Grandmother Rosemary Mann at last year's Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley Racecourse.Credit: Chris Hopkins

"So perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to pack a poncho."

Mr Dickson said cool early morning conditions were set to persist throughout Saturday.

"Temperatures out there at the moment are in the mid teens, we're forecasting a maximum of 20 degrees in city this afternoon with temperatures sitting at around 17 to 18 degrees throughout the day," he said.

"So it's not particularly warm and there will be a cool, westerly wind, tending southerly during the afternoon."

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Cox Plate favourite Winx is taken for a gallop  at Moonee Valley on Tuesday.

Cox Plate favourite Winx is taken for a gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday.Credit: AAP

Winx will now have seven rivals in the Cox Plate with the scratching of English horse Kaspersky on race morning with swelling in his near foreleg.

His withdrawal on Saturday means Michelle Payne will miss the chance to ride in her first Cox Plate.

Winx prepares for the Cox Plate.

Winx prepares for the Cox Plate.Credit: Justin McManus

It's not just punters who are expected to pack to the Moonee Valley track on Saturday – police said on Friday they would be out in force for the race.

Acting Superintendent John Kearney said police would conduct bag searches and deploy booze buses as they cracked down on alcohol-fuelled violence, public order offences and road safety.

"We shouldn't need to remind people that there is absolutely no excuse for drink or drug-driving, and Saturday's races are no exception," he said.

"We're urging patrons to be considerate of others and look out for their mates."

VicRoads spokesman Cameron Tait said traffic delays around the race track were expected and warned of limited parking.

"Expect delays if you're travelling through that area around the Moonee Valley racecourse and if you don't need to be in area, avoid it if possible," he said.

Mr Tait encouraged punters to take public transport – and Public Transport Victoria is running a free shuttle bus service from Moonee Ponds Station to and from Moonee Valley Racecourse.

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PTV will run additional trains and trams for racegoers, for details click here.

Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 12.10pm and the last race at 5.40pm. The feature race is slated for 5pm.

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