Mmmmm can you smell the roses? Set on the Maribyrnong River, Flemington racecourse is home to the Melbourne cup and is well known for its wide lawns and thousands of roses that turn out in full bloom for the carnival.
The enormous crowds that flock to Flemington racecourse for The Melbourne Cup celebration create an atmosphere of fun and excitement that is unique to the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Corporate Marquees, restaurants, the member’s car park, grandstands and public lawn all come alive with friends, colleagues, fashion, entertainment & racing.
Whether it be a picnic that you have packed yourself on the public lawn, sitting in the members stand or mingling with the rich and famous in a fully catered marquee, Flemington racecourse plays host to around 120,000 people on Melbourne Cup Day and cater to all tastes and budgets.
The Corporate World spends millions of dollars wining, dining and schmoosing their clients during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Sponsoring their own private marquees, multi-national conglomerates such as Emirates, Lexus, Saab, Lavazza & Longlines set up in The Birdcage Enclosure, the place to see and be seen and home to the fashionable elite. They provide for their VIP’s extravagant food, beverages, furnishings & entertainment from Swarovski crystal chandeliers; Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Pianists, diamante studded upholstered walls, DJ’s and concierge services. Each of these marquees has their own distinct theme, some of which are three stories high and all provide a ‘playground’ for celebrities and the rich and famous.
Other enclosures set up for corporate entertaining include:
- · Winning Post Enclosure – corporate hospitality Precinct – 3 levelled private marquees with capacity for 40- 70 people.
- · Trackside Enclosure – the most highly sort after corporate hospitality experience with 60-70 people capacity including private balconies.
- · The Birdcage – Corporate Hospitality – only available to VRC Sponsors – private customised birdcage marquee 40-200 people capacity, pre-packaged sponsor chalets 40-80 people capacity, and syndicated marquee options.
- · Hill Stand Corporate Suites – located on the first level of the Hill Stand with small suites for 6-10 people and large suites for 18-24 peopl.e
- · Archer Marquee – set in the Hill Enclosure, tables of 10-12 includes private tote facilities
- · Makybe Diva Marquee – located in the Hill Enclosure overlooking the home straight tables catering for 10-12 people.
- · Champions Dining Marquee – in the Elms District has an alfresco atmosphere with outdoor paved area, tables for 10-12.
- · International Lounge – positioned above the horse stalls with an alfresco atmosphere
- · Lawn Stand Boxes – situated on the tiers of the upper lawn stand accommodate 6 guests.
- · Carbine Marquee – on the banks of the Maribyrnong River at the western end of the racecourse, has a courtyard with access to bookmaker & tote facilities.
- · Riverside – at the Western end of the racecourse mini marquees for exclusive use or to share with a central courtyard.
Flemington racecourse also offers a choice of restaurants that will delight even the most astute of tastebuds. Pre-booking of tables in groups of 6, 8, 10 and 12 is required, some offer views over the race course, individual television screens and direct access to bookmakers.
- · Skyline Restaurant – located on level 3 of the Hill Stand opposite the winning post has tables for groups of 10-12.
- · Panorama Restaurant – located on level 3 of the Hill stand with tables for 6-8 people.
- · The Terrace Restaurant – this tiered restaurant is for members only with individual television screens on each table.
- · Saintly Place Restaurant – located in the Flemington Racecourse Tabernet behind the Hill Stand with tables for groups of 10.
The Grandstand completed in 2000 at a cost of $41 million dollars has around 6900 viewing seats has five tiers, state-of-the-art betting lounge and a member's level with a unique glazed atrium space with spectacular trackside views. It is joined on one side by The Hill Stand which provides an excellent view of the winning post and on the other side by the Historic Members Stand.
Other places to enjoy the festivities include:
- · The Banks @ Ascot – outdoor alfresco setting with two super-screens and entertainment area creates a party atmosphere for revellers, this area is located behind the stands.
- · The Nursery Enclosure – available to members only it consists of standard Car Sites and Super Sites and includes amenities, tote facilities and a Super Screen to watch all the action.
- · Loreal Paris Powder Room – a place to embrace glamour and style. This purpose built marquee supplies essential touch-up for the lips, the nails, or the hair and has become an essential part of the race day experience.
- · The betting ring, bookmakers, tote facilities all enable punters to test their luck on the richest race in Australia.
Whilst admission to most areas of the racecourse require membership or VIP passes to corporate marquees there is still an abundance of space for the general public to frolic and soak up the excitement and celebration that is the race that stops a nation - The Melbourne Cup.
