All accredited media outlets and each representative working at the 2017 Melbourne Cup Carnival are bound by the following:

• Flemington Terms and Conditions of Ticketing and Entry
• Media Accreditation Rules

Melbourne Cup Carnival media guide 

The 2017 Melbourne Cup Carnival Media Guide (to be released in October) offers information on:

• media accreditation information
• race programs
• media contacts
• VRC interview subjects
• online and social media
• Melbourne Cup Carnival sponsors
• Carnival media and social event calendar
• racedays
• Myer Fashions on the Field competition
• Flemington history and background information
• Melbourne Cup Carnival economic impacts
• Emirates Melbourne Cup statistics
• Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy
• Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour
• Melbourne Cup winners timeline.

Lock-down period

Please be aware that Flemington Racecourse will be locked down from approximately Monday 30 October until Wednesday 15 November 2017, inclusive.

Any media wishing to access Flemington during this time must be accredited for the 2017 Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

Accredited media must then follow the Non-Raceday Media Access to Flemington procedures, which are outlined under the ‘Non Melbourne Cup Carnival Media Accreditation’ tab on this page. Melbourne Cup Carnival media rules will be in place for the duration of the lock-down period.

Non-accredited media can apply to obtain a Day Pass prior to their intended visit by contacting VRC Corporate Communications Manager Alexandra Factor by email or phone: +61 (0) 3 8378 0729 or 0412 149 669, or VRC PR Executive Kate Coughlan by email or phone: +61 (0) 3 8378 0631 or 0418 595 782.

Any media wishing to access Flemington during the lock-down period must be accompanied by a member of the VRC Media Unit at all times.

Prior to your intended visit all media must contact: 

• Alexandra Factor, VRC Corporate Communications Manager, on (03) 8378 0729 or 0412 149 669
• Kate Coughlan, VRC PR Executive, on (03) 8378 0631 or 0418 595 782.

While the VRC will endeavour to facilitate media access, requests made in advance are more likely to be accommodated. Please note, not all areas of Flemington will be accessible. 

Trackwork access

All media who wish to access the racecourse infield for trackwork must obtain approval for their visit in advance.

On approval being granted, media must adhere to the following:

• Parking from Smithfield Road entrance:
• do not exceed 20km/hr speed limit
• motor vehicles must be parked in the external car park (on right prior to the first boom gate)
• motor vehicles MUST NOT proceed through the second boom gate.
• Entering horse area (past second boom gate):
• you must be on foot
• you must give way to horses
• do not approach horses
• maintain a minimum 5 meters from horses
• stay on the left side of horses
• never walk directly behind a horse
• do not make excessive or loud noises that may spook a horse (turn mobile phones to silent)
• you must report to Tracks staff member at entrance to the tunnel prior to proceeding
• you must be escorted on site by a Tracks staff member.
• Equipment:
• carry all equipment by hand into the infield
• keep equipment to a minimum
• wheel based cases (e.g. Pelican cases) are not permitted in the infield
• where multiple items and/or items that cannot be carried by hand are required, these must be delivered the day prior (outside of track work hours) and can be stored securely in the infield to use the following morning (you must advise your VRC contact and the Senior Track Manager in advance to arrange access to infield and secure storage). Note: while items will be secured, VRC does not accept cost associated with any loss or damage that may occur to items stored on site.
• hand carried items must be removed when leaving the infield
• multiple items and/or items that cannot be carried by hand must be removed after track work has finished for the day (after 9.30am).

Raceday photographers induction

Photographers wishing to access the Mounting Yard or areas adjacent to the track on any Flemington raceday must organise to complete a Flemington Photographers Induction prior to raceday to gain access to these areas. 

Details about Flemington Photographers Inductions for the 2017 Melbourne Cup Carnival will be released closer to the event date.

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 VRC Corporate Communications Manager Alexandra Factor by email or phone: +61 (0) 3 8378 0729 or 0412 149 669.

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

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 from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018.