Channel 10 has confirmed international racing commentator Francesca Cumani and three-time Melbourne Cup winner Glen Boss will join the network’s broadcast team for the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Francesca and Glen have a long and special relationship with Flemington.
Francesca Cumani, a racing media icon, will return to Melbourne for the first time since 2019 to bring her unique insight and wealth of racing knowledge to the carnival, while racing legend Glen Boss, who retired from racing earlier this year, will add to the on-air horsepower.
TV Blackbox understands Francesca and Glen’s involvement in the Channel 10 coverage is being partly funded by the VRC with the organisation eager to boost the prestige of broadcast at a time when it is facing increased competition from Sydney.
On returning to Australia for the first time in three years, Francesca Cumani said:
“After two years of watching from home I am thrilled to be coming back to Flemington for Cup Week.
I look forward to working with the VRC and Network 10 to showcase the Melbourne Cup Carnival because it really is one of the biggest weeks on the international racing calendar.
To have full crowds back on track will be incredible and it’s going to be surreal jumping on the plane and getting back to Australia and experiencing the magic of Cup Week.”
The pair will join renowned sports personality Eddie McGuire, Melbourne Cup winning jockey and trainer Michelle Payne, racing expert Michael Felgate, 10 News First reporter Caty Price, Group 1-winning jockey James Winks, renowned form expert David Gately, and racing presenter Brittany Taylor on Network 10’s 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast team.
Covering all things fashion and entertainment in the Birdcage is Rob Mills, The Project’s Georgie Tunny and Natalie Hunter while 10 Sport’s Tara Rushton and Archie Thompson will be trackside with all the colour of the carnival.
Francesca and Glen will also participate in a number of VRC activities and events in the lead up to Cup Week, including speaking at the exclusive VRC members event, Inside Headquarters.
With a multi-studio set-up across Flemington Racecourse, fans will have unprecedented access to jockeys, trainers, owners, celebrities and of course all the fashions on the field over the four days of the carnival.
It all begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, 29 October, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, 1 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday, 3 November and VRC Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, 5 November, live and free on Channel 10 and 10 Play.
