Grim weather expected for 2023 Melbourne Cup but the show must go on

(This is a developing story)

For those stepping out in high fashion at the 2023 Melbourne Cup today, packing their brollies and gumboots would be a good idea given the weather forecast.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted an afternoon thunderstorm later, at around the same time the Melbourne Cup race will be run.

As reported in News.com.au, Victoria Racing Club Senior Track Manager, Liam O’Keefe, has been keeping a close eye on the forecast.

He revealed there’s a “very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening with the chance of a thunderstorm” forecast on Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to reach 29 degrees celsius, as per punters.com.au.

O’Keefe and his team have been monitoring the situation  over the past 24 hours.

“It’s not forecast to come until mid-afternoon so we’ll just monitor it over the next 24 hours and if we need to adjust our plans we will.

“It could also be a case of if it does happen, it might not happen until after the Cup is run.”

O’Keefe was confident that the racing pitch was in tip top condition ahead of its biggest meeting of the year and following the traffic from Saturday’s Victoria Derby Day.

Regardless of the weather, the crowds are expected to descend on Flemington today to enjoy the spectacle and fanfare that goes with Australia’s famous “race that stops the nation”.

The impending weather may not be suitable for the recent dress code change that received mixed reactions from race goers and the general public a few weeks ago.

From today, those members in the Flemington members area will be allowed to wear shorts for the very first time provided they meet these conditions – the shorts have to be tailored with a matching tie and jacket and they must sit on or below the knee.

Leading horse trainer and racing royalty Gai Waterhouse scoffed at the new rule. She said it breaks with decades of tradition and described it as “ridiculous” and the “silliest thing I’ve ever seen”.

She was also adamant that the new dress code was more suited for the beach than the races.

“I’m not going to Bondi Beach, or Altona. You’re coming here, you’ve got to dress for the occasion.”

The main race will be broadcast on Channel 10 and is scheduled for the following times:

• 3pm AEDT – Victoria, New South Wales, ACT and Tasmania
• 2pm AEST – Queensland
• 2:30pm ACDT – South Australia
• 1:30pm ACST – Northern Territory
• 12pm AWST – Western Australia

The weather forecast for the rest of the week is as follows:

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. 29.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. 27.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely during the morning. 22.

Saturday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely later in the day. 23.