Information for Media

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) welcomes media attendance at Flemington throughout the racing season and at its full schedule of events during the year.

The VRC will endeavour to respond to media’s interview and photo requests as they arise in a timely manner and facilitate opportunities where possible.

To contact the VRC’s Public Relations team:

  • phone +61 (0) 3 8378 0616.

2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival Online Media Guide

The VRC welcomes media attendance at the 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival held from Saturday 29 October to Saturday 5 November 2011.

The online media guide, a comprehensive outline of the 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival, is available for download:

The online media guide offers information on:

  • media accreditation information
  • media contacts
  • VRC interview subjects
  • the Carnival media and social event calendar
  • Myer Fashions on the Field competition
  • Flemington history and background information
  • statistics
  • Melbourne Cup winners timeline
  • a full raceday program.

Make sure you read the dress code outlined on our website as a dress code applies for all media.

Media accreditation

Media seeking access to the 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival in a working capacity must submit an application for media accreditation.

Please note: Wrights PR will be managing media accreditation on behalf of the VRC.

In 2011, the VRC will offer ‘virtual’ accreditation to media who are unable to attend the event, allowing non-attending media to access media materials including press releases, images and regular news updates prior to and throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

SMS updates will be sent to non-attending media on a regular basis, providing real-time alerts of Melbourne Cup Carnival racing results and news updates.

Media wishing to apply for on-site (attending) or virtual (non-attending) media accreditation must contact:

  • via phone - the Media Accreditation Unit (Wrights PR on behalf of the VRC) on +61 (0) 3 8378 0770.
  • via email - Georgina Murphy, Wrights PR - Media Accreditation team.

Applications for media accreditation at the 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival need to be submitted online.

Media accreditation applications open on Thursday 1 September and close at 5pm AEST on Friday 16 September 2011.

For further media information for the 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival:

Submitting an application for on-site (attending) media accreditation or virtual (non-attending) media accreditation does not guarantee approval.

You may be required to substantiate your application to the media accreditation team at Wrights PR, who will contact you if there are any concerns with your application.

For more information on 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival Media Accreditation:

  • contact the Media Accreditation Unit on +61 (0)3 8378 0770.

Lock-down period

Please be aware that Flemington Racecourse will be locked down from Monday 24 October until Wednesday 9 November 2011, inclusive.

Any media wishing to access Flemington during this time must be accredited for the Melbourne Cup Carnival as discussed above. Accredited media must then follow the Non-Raceday Media Access to Flemington procedures, which are outlined below under ‘Non Melbourne Cup Carnival Media Accreditation’.

Melbourne Cup Carnival media rules will be in place for the duration of this period.

Non-accredited media can apply to obtain a Day Pass prior to their intended visit:

  • Contact Marcus Williams from the VRC Media Unit on (03) 8378 0729 or 0401 000 987.

Non Melbourne Cup Carnival media accreditation

All requests for Media Accreditation outside the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including for the Melbourne Festival of Racing, should be made to:

  • Contact Emily Morris from the VRC Media Unit on (03) 8378 0616 or 0438 700 297.

Any media wishing to visit Flemington throughout the year (including for trackwork) must notify the VRC of their intention to access the racecourse:

Trackwork access & Flemington media induction training

All media who wish to access the racecourse for trackwork, including all training facilities, grandstands, training tracks, course proper, grounds, gardens and the stables precinct, must have completed Flemington Media Induction training prior to their visit. Media will then receive induction cards that will be valid for a period of two years.

To organise an induction:

  • Contact Simon Ogden, Flemington Security and Site Manager on 0425 730 225.

Any inducted media intending to visit Flemington for trackwork or the stables precinct area must email a completed media trackwork access form by 12pm the day prior to the intended visit (or on Friday for a Monday visit):

While the VRC will endeavour to facilitate media access, requests received after this time may not be able to be accommodated.

All other media access

Any media wishing to access Flemington (excluding inducted media attending trackwork), including for photography, filming, interviews, research etc., must be accompanied by a VRC staff member.

Prior to your intended visit, media must:

  • Contact Marcus Williams from the VRC Media Unit on (03) 8378 0729 or 0401 000 987.

While the VRC will endeavour to facilitate media access, requests made in advance are more likely to be accommodated.

Media enquiries

All media enquiries should be directed to:

  • Emily Morris, Senior PR, Communications and Media Manager on (03) 8378 0616 or 0438 700 297
  • Marcus Williams, PR Manager on (03) 8378 0729 or 0401 000 987
  • Daniella Sorace, PR Co-ordinator - Fashion on (03) 8378 0631 or 0401 208 852.