A large late-night brawl outside a student pub marred an otherwise quiet Melbourne Cup day in Dunedin, police say.
Acting Inspector Craig Dinnissen, of Dunedin, said there were seven evictions by police officers or security guards at the Wingatui Melbourne Cup Day yesterday, and one arrest after a ''minor assault'' on a security guard, but the event was not nearly as boozy as in previous years.
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Twenty-nine people were treated by St John for a range of injuries and other issues, Insp Dinnissen said.
"There was a combination of sunburn, twisted ankles from high heels and intoxication.
"The levels of intoxication weren't as [high] as in previous years.''
Police believed a significant decrease in attendance was partly to thank for a relatively quiet day out, understood to be about 3500 through the gate this year compared to 8000 in previous years.
Insp Dinnissen said police were called about midnight to a "large fracas" outside Starters Bar in Frederick St, resulting in two arrests and the early closure of the popular student haunt.
A 21-year-old man who crashed into multiple parked cars in Brockville Rd was also arrested.
He recorded a breath alcohol reading of 326 micrograms per litre of breath, higher than the legal limit of limit of 250 micrograms, and has received a summons to appear in court, Insp Dinnissen said.
