THE COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the way the Melbourne Cup was celebrated across the country, but it did not stop more than 500 locals from flocking to the Tamworth racecourse.
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Usually attracting a crowd of more than 3000 people, this year's Melbourne Cup Day meeting in Tamworth was limited due to social distancing measures.
However, the atmosphere on the course and in countless venues across the city, more than made up for the lack of numbers as punters donned their best suits and dresses for the traditional fashions in the field event.
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Tamworth Jockey Club general manager Wayne Wood said the crowd was well behaved throughout the day and the event went off without a hitch.
"It was a sell out in the end and it was a shame we had to knock some people back because we want as many people as we can to come to the races," Mr Wood said.
"However, I think everyone who came along on the day had a fantastic time and really stuck to the social-distancing measures well.
"Our team had put in a lot of work to make this event happen and we are just over the moon with how it went.
"We were limited to 500 racegoers, but hopefully we can have more in the future for our main race day, which is the Tamworth Cup."
Punters cheered on as outsider Twilight Payment lead from start to finish to claim an unlikely Melbourne Cup victory.
"It was lovely to see so many people have a good day and enjoy a great day of racing," Mr Wood said.
"Everyone has come together in the most magical way.
"We've been really lucky to have Barnaby Joyce and Kevin Anderson here with us today [Tuesday] and all told it has been a perfect day for us."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
