Racing purists need to ‘suck it up’ when it comes to the Spring Carnival, says Dwayne Russell.

The Sports Today host took aim at the now ‘traditional’ post-raceday opinion pieces from racing journalists, who lamented the party atmosphere and alcohol-fuelled behaviour of punters at Caulfield on Saturday.

But the 3AW commentator said it was those people who made the carnival what it is.

‘I reckon racing purists need to suck it up, Cinderella,’ Dwayne Russell said on Sports Today.

‘It’s the young, dressed-up, ready for a drink, party racegoers which actually make the Spring Carnival a must-attend event and bring the money to the sport.’

Dwayne said ‘less than half’ of people who attended the carnival were actually there to watch the racing.

‘They go for the atmosphere,’ he said.

‘They go for the party.’

LISTEN: Dwayne Russell’s opening editorial on Sports Today