澳大利亚知名餐饮业者Chris Lucas的Lucas Collective集团与维多利亚赛马俱乐部达成合作，将在墨尔本杯嘉年华期间在Flemington赛马场推出旗下多家餐厅的菜品服务[1]。此举旨在吸引更年轻的观众参与赛马节庆活动，VRC首席执行官Kylie Rogers表示"It's sportstaintment now"，强调赛马活动已演变为融体育与娱乐于一体的综合体验[1]。
根据合作方案，Chin Chin餐厅将在Flemington前草坪为食客提供60分钟的"Feed me"菜单体验，靠近Fashions on the Field展馆[1]。Society餐厅则在会员区The Byerley餐厅运营，由行政主厨Joachim Lim负责监督欧洲灵感菜单[1]。此外，Yakimono将在Birdcage区域为VRC会员和宾客提供烤串小食[1]。
数据显示，53%的杯赛嘉年华普通门票持有者年龄在35岁以下[1]，这一观众结构支撑了俱乐部的餐饮升级策略。去年墨尔本杯日的出席人数达84,374人，其中66%来自州外或海外[1]。维多利亚赛马俱乐部也在制定长期发展规划，包括在赛马场建立永久餐厅[1]。
Renowned Australian restaurateur Chris Lucas is bringing his culinary brands to Flemington Racecourse during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, marking a significant partnership between Lucas Collective and the Victoria Racing Club [1]. The collaboration will feature three of Lucas' acclaimed restaurants—Chin Chin, Society, and Yakimono—each offering distinct dining experiences across the venue.
Chin Chin will operate on Flemington's front lawn, providing a 60-minute "Feed me" menu service near the Fashions on the Field pavilion [1]. Society will run within the members' area at The Byerley restaurant, where executive chef Joachim Lim will oversee a European-inspired menu [1]. Yakimono will serve grilled skewers and small plates to VRC members and guests in the Birdcage [1].
The partnership reflects the VRC's strategy to attract younger audiences and elevate the festival's appeal. VRC Chief Executive Kylie Rogers described the shift in focus, noting "It's sportstaintment now" [1]. The initiative comes as the racing club seeks to strengthen its visitor base: 53 percent of general ticket holders for the Cup Carnival are under 35 years old, and last year's Melbourne Cup Day drew 84,374 attendees, with 66 percent traveling from interstate or overseas [1]. The VRC recorded a loss of AUD 7.2 million in the prior year, marking five consecutive annual losses since 2021 [1].