Thoroughbred Park was unusually quiet on Tuesday. Racegoers were cordoned off into five different seated areas, with off-duty jockeys able to bask in the sun on the green without wading through rowdy, boozy punters. Punters were socially-distanced and well behaved. COVID-19 couldn't stop the race that stops the nation, but it ensured the Melbourne Cup went off with a whisper, not a bang.
Despite this, Thoroughbred Park was one of the few racecourses in Australia open to the public on Melbourne Cup. While the race went ahead in Melbourne, unlike the AFL grand final, it did so without an audience at Flemington Racecourse, leaving would-be racegoers to watch the race on TV.
Canberra Racing Club chief executive Andrew Clark said COVID-19 safety was the main priority in planning the event.
"We ended up splitting up our course into six different areas, one for participants, and a further five for patrons to be broken into," Mr Clark said.
"Ultimately that saw us sell out with 667 on the course, we normally have 5000 people on course for Melbourne Cup day."
Trainer Keith Dryden said the low turnout changed the atmosphere of the cup, but was glad there was an event to attend.
"It seems really strange to be sitting around all day waiting for something to happen but at least we're still racing," he said.
"I think the government has done a great job for us with Racing NSW to keep racing going."
Wendy and Brad Neal had previously attended Melbourne Cup day at Thoroughbred Park. Mr and Mrs Neal said they were lucky to get tickets to the 2020 event after someone cancelled their tickets.
"A lot less busy but they've done a really good job - they've managed everything [they've] put people in the right spots," Mr Neal said.
"[There] probably could have had another thousand [people] here easy, no dramas, but they've done what they can.
"We're very lucky to be here on such a beautiful day."
In the middle of a sea of grass, jockeys Ellen Hennessy and Amy McLucas were the only two people on the green, drinking lemonade while they took a break to soak up the sun between races.
"We asked if we could just come out in the sunshine for a little bit and then we'll go back in and ride again, " Ms Hennessy said.
"It's good to see a bit of a crowd back ... it was pretty dismal for a little while."
Despite the empty venue, there was a buzz of excitement during during the Melbourne Cup race. Punters rushed to the nearest screens to witness the race, where Twilight Payment flawlessly won. One man, who had placed a bet on the Twilight Payment, could not contain his excitement as he cheered from a balcony.
