VRC track manager Liam O’Keeffe is looking forward to Melbourne Cup Day after a successful Victoria Derby program.

O’Keeffe said since Saturday’s meeting they had lowered the running rail just after the last race and applied eight millimeters of irrigation, bringing the total for the week to 56 millimeters. Then on Sunday they moved the running rail to the two meter position.

“Derby Day was a great day from our point of view. Everything went well. The track couldn’t have been better and we’re expecting the same for Tuesday,” O’Keeffe said.

“This should cancel out the wear around the rim and even some marks around the straight line.”

O’Keeffe said there would be light winds on Cup day, in contrast to Derby day where there were 40 to 50 mph winds with a headwind on the turn and then a tailwind in the final straight.

O’Keeffe said he would put enough irrigation on the track that it would start as a good 4, then drop to a good 3 halfway through the schedule, since it would be 26 degrees a day.

“There will be a good turnaround on track at the start of the day,” he said.

“Conditions will be much calmer. Runners won’t have to worry about these strong winds. It will be much easier for them.