Forget the flu, it’s party time; Restaurants and clubs booked out by revellers
Forget the flu. Melbourne Cup fever has never been stronger in Queensland as lovers of the big race throughout the state drag out the gladrags and book the bubbly for the big event. The fact that there’s no thoroughbred racing in Brisbane on Cup Day has proved a minor hiccup but hotels, restaurants and clubs are booked out across the capital for the big race. There are still the diehards who are preparing to head to Flemington as usual to see the race live. Marketing director at Fortitude Valley’s swank Emporium Hotel Amanda Lutvey said the hotel had expanded its $180-a-head lunch because of demand. ”A lot of the people coming to us said they don’t want to go to the track this year,” she said. ”We sold out 120 tables in 10 days. The fact that there are no races is definitely changing people’s plans.” The Sunday Mail (Adelaide), October 28.
