Horse safety "absolute priority" after tragic death of 2014 Melbourne Cup runner

The interaction between racing fans and horses will be strictly monitored at this year's Melbourne spring carnival, after a runner in the carnival's signature race, the Melbourne Cup, died in tragic circumstances last year.

Cup runner Araldo was badly injured after being spooked by a young child waving an Australian flag as it returned to scale after the 3200-meter race.

Araldo suffered a broken pastern - bone in the lower part of the hoof - after jumping into nearby rose bushes, and was later destroyed.

Strict crowd behavior guidelines for patrons were announced on Monday at the launch of this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The measures include a ban on large flags and security minding the horses before, during and after the race.

Race goers will also be subjected to widespread signage around Flemington, urging patrons to treat the animals with respect when in their vicinity.

Last year's favorite, Japanese stayer Admire Rakti, also died in the aftermath of the 2014 edition of the Melbourne Cup following a heart attack.

Victorian Racing Commission (VRC) chief executive Simon Love said the changes were implemented to safeguard the runner's well-being, which he considered an "absolute priority".

"We consulted with Racing Victoria stewards and the Victorian Jockeys' Association and looked at all aspects of our facilities and processes to see if any improvements could be made," Love told News Corp on Friday.

"The process for horses returning to the mounting yard for Group 1 races has been altered so that horses will return in the natural order they arrive in from the track, rather than waiting for the winning horse."

Australian animal activists groups have campaigned for an end of racing, arguing in past year's that all forms of racing are barbaric. Endi