The decline in crowd numbers at this year’s Melbourne Cup carnival has not been as bad as expected.

The Victoria Racing Club budgeted for a five to 10 per cent decline in attendance over the four race days, due to construction work for the $128 million redevelopment of the members’ grandstand.

“We’ve actually done better than that, which is absolutely magnificent, but it’s also about the experience – everyone has had a good time,” VRC chairman Amanda Elliott said on Saturday.

Credit: AAP