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Melbourne Cup to have emergencies from 2018

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http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/melbourne-cup-will-have-emergencies-from-2018-onwards-ending-150-year-tradition-20171106-gzfv8h.html

Quote

Next year's $6.2 million Melbourne Cup will for the first time have two and possibly four emergencies, ending a 150-year tradition of being the only major race in Australia not to have reserve runners.

Some senior VRC officials and the state's racing minister Martin Pakula believe that it is time the long-held convention of no emergencies ended. 


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While software to take the Melbourne Cup numbers to 26 or 28 will be costly many believe it will end the hardship of a horse being hurt or sick the day after the final acceptances with no reserve runners to take it's place.

In the case of Who Shot Thebarman, had there been emergencies, leading owner Lloyd Williams would have had a record seven runners as his stayer Foundry was number 25 in order of entry.

The concept that one owner could have seven starters in a Melbourne Cup would have been testament to the amazing investment in Australia's most import race.

VRC chairman Amanda Elliott indicated on Monday that emergencies should be part of the Melbourne Cup conditions next year.

Racing minister Martin Pakula also joined the push to have emergencies in the Cup.

"I really think it's time we had a couple of emergencies in the Cup. I know the VRC has raised this with Tabcorp and they have my full support."

"It's 2017. Surely it can't be beyond our capacity to have a tote that goes to 26," Pakula said.

And senior Tabcorp officials said that they would commence meetings with the VRC and Racing Victoria post the spring carnival.

The main reason emergencies had been deferred is the significant cost of changing software both nationally and internationally so that the world can bet on the race.

It's understood Tabcorp in conjunction with RVL and the VRC would help replace the software to accommodate 26 or 28 numbers.

It means that major straight races such as the Newmarket Handicap and other important sprint events will also be benefactors of the change and will be able to offer emergencies to these races that often reach capacity.

One of the most lucrative international gambling totes in Japan confirmed on Monday that they have a capacity to bet on over 30 numbers in their system.

"Some years ago we had 30 runners in the Japanese Derby so we needed to have the capacity to gamble to the end," a spokesman said.

It will be vital that Japan have the numerical capacity to cope with the Melbourne Cup because if that country has a starter in the race punters are allowed to bet on the outcome.

The huge punting Japanese audience has been known to build win and place pools to extraordinary levels with the VRC earning a percentage of that mammoth investment.  

It is unclear whether Hong Kong is able to cope with extra numbers.

It will also mean that international owners and trainers who shell out tens of thousands of dollars to bring stayers to Australia will now have the added bonus of knowing that emergencies have been added to the conditions of the race.

"We have conducted a number of reviews over the years into the viability of Melbourne Cup emergencies, the last of which was done in 2015 in conjunction with the VRC and Tabcorp.

A Racing Victoria spokesman said "the 2015 review found that Australian and international pari-mutuel operators largely remain unable to accommodate field sizes in excess of 24 and would have to invest significantly in upgrades, while requiring regulatory approvals, to change this.

"Given the changes in the wagering landscape and advancements in technology

 

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