This morning The Courier broke the news that the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society was no longer seeking to be granted the traditional Friday public holiday.

The reason, the society said, was to help out Ballarat businesses that have struggled after the pandemic.

Separate polls conducted by The Courier over the space of about five years suggest the broader public might also be leaning in a different direction.

In 2016, a poll published by The Courier saw strong support for the traditional Show Day public holiday, with a comprehensive 64% of people in favour.

See the 2016 results below.

However, according to this morning's poll, there has been a surge of support for the Melbourne Cup holiday to become the choice going forward.

Early results are showing the Melbourne Cup is now the day of choice.

There remains little support for Eureka Day (December 3), while the Ballarat Cup Day public holiday is no longer considered given the event has moved to a Saturday.

See the 2021 results below.

Council is expected to make a final decision on the next three year's worth of public holidays at a meeting on Wednesday night.

If you haven't voted in the poll yet, you can do so here.

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