DESPITE the constraints of COVID-19, one of the nation's great traditions, The Melbourne Cup, will go ahead on Tuesday, albeit in a much different format.
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Australia's premier horse race, held on the first Tuesday of November since 1861, will go ahead next week but in 2020, there'll be no crowd allowed.
Instead the event will be watched by millions on television screens across Australia, and the world.
With it's huge TV screen, and Melbourne Cup luncheon the Bathurst RSL Club has long been a favourite venue for race fans across the city, and the club is hoping members will continue their long standing tradition of dressing up and watching the race at the club.
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Janneke van der Sterren, marketing manager with the Bathurst RSL Club, said as in previous years, the club will host a Melbourne Cup luncheon (in line with COVID-19 restrictions).
Ms van der Sterren said as in previous years they are expecting plenty of people to be dressed in their fashions on the field and fascinators.
"I really hope people get dressed up again this year.
"It's the one day of the year members are allowed to wear hats inside.
"Every year people really get into it, they really put in a lot of effort, and we have best dressed prizes, it's really fun," she said.
As an added bonus, for the first time since COVID hit, the club is also having live entertainment on the day.
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Get up and Dance will be performing throughout the day (though in line with COVID-19 restrictions, no dancing is allowed).
"There is going to be a great atmosphere," Ms van der Sterren said.
"We want people to come and have a good time and relax."
She said members and guests can watch all the action of the race on the big screen, and also have a flutter on their favourite horse.
She said some people have already booked tables, and others are welcome to do so, but said with COVID-19 restrictions in place, it will literally be a case of first in best dressed.
