Racing Victoria has cancelled all non-TAB race meetings in the state on Melbourne Cup day due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will leave just two Victorian race programs on the first Tuesday in November, the feature card at Flemington and one at Echuca.

The meetings are among a number of country racing casualties during the spring with RV also abandoning all picnic meetings for the first two weeks of the picnic racing season, which starts on October 24.

The decisions were made in consultation with Country Racing Victoria and the race clubs involved.

“The decision to cancel these race meetings has been reached following extensive consultation and has been based on a number of factors, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” RV's Greg Carpenter said.

The Benalla Cup has also been moved to coincide with the AFL Grand Final public holiday on October 23.