I thought I would share with you a little about my love for the Spring Racing Carnival, why I have a dedicated blog category for it and what’s with all the promotion I do for it!
I attended my first race day back when I was 17, it was the Werribee Cup and everyone in town would take the day off school or work to be there. It was more of a social thing for me. I think it was also the first time I used the joke ‘what horses?’ at a race meeting, and thought I was so funny that I continued to use it for the following years to come, until I learnt the names Makybe Diva and Black Caviar.
I also remember when I was 21 and went to my first Caulfield Cup day, my friends and I packed a picnic, we went out together to buy new dresses, we hand-made our millinery and I wore the worst shoes possible. I not only sunk into the lawn, I could not walk one more step because of the pain I was in, and it was only one hour into the day (rookie error). I am afraid to say, it was shoes off for me and that I vowed to never humiliate myself like that again.
Fast forward another year to 2004, the year I met my husband. Josh was a VRC member, and he introduced me to a new world of young member’s days, dining experiences, great views, hosting memorable days in the Nursery car park. Soon enough, the Spring Racing Carnival became our favourite time of the year, starting in September through to November, where we created wonderful memories with our friends every year.
Today, as a blogger, I look back at these memories and thank them for providing me with the passion for the Spring Racing Carnival that has connected me with the opportunity to be where I am today. I have been a Caulfield Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day Fashions on the Field judge,I have worked with some great milliners over the years and have inspired men and women with the latest racing trends. This is something that makes me so happy each year, and as they say, doing something you are passionate about will keep you happy!
This year, the Spring Racing Carnival is going to be as fabulous as ever!
At the the Caulfield Cup, The David Jones Fashion Stables will have one of my most lovely friends in the business as their ambassador, Nadia Bartell. Boasting Melbourne food experiences from many restaurants including one of my absolute favourites, Mr Miyagi. Entertainment wise we will see all day DJ’s, The Preachers and Timmy Trumpet.
For Moonee Valley, crowd favourite the Cox Plate will host an array of food and social spots such as the Pure Pleasure Enclosure, Lazy Yak Watering Hole, Celebrity Room and Fields of Omagh. I am also so excited to hear that Daryl Braithwaite will be performing again (his song Horses is our wedding song!) and the gorgeous Whitney Berry is their ambassador for this year.
On the Manikato Stakes there will be music by Antipodean Rock, Collective (Arc) and great spots to dine at The Deck, The Lodge, Valley View and Fields of Omagh.
At Flemington, this year they are thrilled to unveil The Park, a new fashion and entertainment playground free to all racegoers during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Don’t forget to enter the world-class Fashions on the Field for yourself or as a family on Stakes Day, or if you are like me, head over to watch the entrants strut their stuff on the runway and be awe struck by the talented dress makers, stylists and milliners and witness how a great race look is put together.
It is important not to miss the Country Races, with 66 great Country Racing racedays throughout the Spring Racing Carnival period spread all across the state. Head an hour out of town to Mornington or make the 4.5 hour trip to the renowned Manangatang Cup. From low key picnic meetings to the larger more renowned Country Cups there is something for everyone to enjoy.
So that is a little list of highlights you can expect to see at this years Spring Racing Carnival, can’t wait to see you there. Remember to use the hashtag #SpringCarnival to join in on the fun!
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