Flemington in peak shape for 2024 Melbourne Cup week

Flemington track manager Liam O’Keeffe says the track has rebounded well for the biggest four days on the Australian racing calendar.

The track took a pounding during the past two feature meetings on September 7 and October 5 when rain during the day had a detrimental effect on the course.

But O’Keeffe and his team have worked tirelessly over the ensuing weeks to have the track in perfect shape for the opening meeting of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Victoria Derby Day on Saturday.

And O’Keeffe said the weather forecast for Victoria Derby Day and the extended forecast into next week looks ideal.

“We did have more damage than normal after those two Group 1 meetings,” O’Keeffe said.

“Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain on both days, so managing the track we’ve done it slightly different, treated it a little tougher and mowed it down a little to thicken it up and get recovery into the track.

“That was on the back of having rain through the day, which is not what you want, but fortunately the works that we have done has seen the track come up well and it has picked up nicely since we’ve had those meetings.

“It’s a credit to the team, they’ve worked hard and got to where we need for the four days.”

O’Keeffe said the Derby Day forecast was around 25 degrees, a little overcast and not too windy, adding that in the lead up to the meeting there are no strong winds forecast.

“The weather is looking pretty good, high teens, low 20’s for the week,” O’Keeffe said.

“At this stage Derby Day is around 25 degrees, cloudy, not too a strong wind, so we’ll water most nights to keep it in the Good 4 range.

“Fingers crossed it’s not too windy as it will make our job easier.”

O’Keeffe said he would apply 6 to 7 mils of water on the track leading up to Derby Day with the possibility of up to 10 mils if the weather heats up.

He said the rail would be in the true position for Derby Day and move out to 2m on Cup Day, 5m on Oaks Day and 8m on Champions Day.

“That enables us to get the horses on the fresh ground and it enables us to put some good water on without the fence giving out and it still allows us to run full fields,” O’Keeffe said.

A brief look at the forecast for Cup showed O’Keeffe a temperature around the 22-to-23-degree mark, but he said he would have a clearer picture towards the end of the week.