Step out of line at your peril - that's the message from the Canterbury Jockey Club for drunken patrons attending Christchurch Cup Week.
The CJC took the unusual step today of announcing that security for this year's week-long racing carnival will be dramatically increased and patrons affected by alcohol willbe denied entry.
The move follows the unsavoury scenes at Flemington for the Melbourne Cup carnival. International coverage, including pictures of drunk racing fans, went around the world and reflected poorly on Australia.
Kiwi Jade Jillings and her friend Tyler Johnson made headlines around the world when pictures of her antics at Melbourne Cup Day went viral. Photo / Getty Images
Canterbury chairman Jeff McCall says that, over the past year, the club has been working closely with police, community and public health representatives and the District Licensing Trust to "ensure that Cup Day at Riccarton is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone".
Security will be tighter than it ever has been on race day and there will be more intoxication assessors on course than ever before.
A "Drinkright Taskforce" - a team of 20 qualified duty managers from bars across Christchurch - will work with police to ensure alcohol is managed responsibly, assessing patrons for intoxication and removing them as necessary.
Kiwi Jade Jillings and her friend Tyler Johnson. Photo / Getty Images
McCall says there will be extra staff manning gates, searching vehicles and assessing patrons upon entry to the racecourse. "The message is simple - patrons will be denied entry if they are affected by alcohol. Pre loaders will not be tolerated," he said.
As with previous years there will be a temporary alcohol ban on the roads around the Riccarton racecourse.
BYO is no longer permitted in the members' carpark, but patrons will still be able to buy alcohol in the carpark and other licensed bar areas.
"NZ Cup Day at Riccarton is an iconic event and a wonderful celebration of racing, fashion and the best cuisine Canterbury has to offer. We want the community to be able to enjoy the day in a safe environment," said McCall.
Attendance will also be capped at 18,000 patrons so as to better manage the event.
Behaviour like this will not be tolerated at Christchurch Cup Week. Photo / Getty Images
KEY FACTS:
• Canterbury Jockey Club will be employing 262 security staff at the 2016 NZ Cup Day. • 20 security staff on the Drinkright Taskforce assessing intoxication • 52 staff manning gates and searching vehicles • 120 staff manning bars and monitoring patrons • 70 roving the racecourse and manning doors • This is a 43% increase in security from the 183 staff employed in 2015 and 150 security staff in 2013.
