Race Day at Warwick Farm

My second day of 2012 was spent at the races. After nursing a hangover from NYE, and catching up with Amy with Jenny for dinner in Surrey Hills - at Agave - and then brunch again at Sideways in Dulwich Hill, Jenny and I trekked out on the Sydney Metro to Warwick Farm. Quite a ways out of the city!

At the train station we met Belinda, Belinda and Little Banksy, and then grabbed the shuttle to the racecourse. Entering the Members Reserve and making our way upstairs, we commanded a spot with a view of the track, and grabbed some wine.

Actually aware of the race activity around us, and being played out on the track, with Jenny and Little Banksy having a flutter, we had a very chilled day hanging out and catching up.

This was a pretty easy day at the races, with clusters of people all dressed up and out for a big day, and others there with their families, or on their own, indulging in their love of the horse races.

No big winners in our group for the day, other than the bar and their wine stocktake!

Derby Day

Everyone seems to rave about Derby Day, so this year I decided I would go along! Having only been to Flemington for the races on one occasion, and being rather spoilt on that occasion, I had chatted to lots of people about the regular experience. People seem to talk about Carparks, Rails, and Birdcages, and many had actually said that the general admission lawn would be too crowded and annoying.

Not one to listen to Negative Nancy's, Melanie and I decided to go anyway. I happened upon a ticket deal, however, which allowed us, and Mel's friend Michelle, to snap up Lawn Stand tickets for the same price as a GA - score!

With the rain of the previous day and night, and the less than exciting forecast, I decided I would wear my music festival fire-engine red gumboots with my dress (and I carried proper shoes, in case it wasn't that bad). Mel and I drove down from Ballarat in the morning, seeming to leave the blue sky and sun behind as we arrived into Melbourne.

Finding public parking a little too easily, we marked amid the mud in the middle of the track. A bus was provided to take us to the entrance, and we were in! Getting lots of comments about my boots, we decided they must stay!

Taking our seats, and using this as our base for the day, we watched a few races as the sunshine arrived, and then wondered around out the bar and down amongst the lawn, before returning to our shaded seats.

The sun broke out to make it a great day, and we had Mary find us at our seats and join us for snacks and more races. Another wonder around the people below, we were back to our seats for the main race. Seeing more of the actual horse racing than I have seen at such an event before, I still didn't recall that Sangster won the AAMI Victoria Derby Day! A really fun and easy day.

Cox Plate

Having a little get-ready party at mine, I had a spread of croissants and pastries, champers, and vodka. All the necessities of a solid start to a day at the races! Melissa, Greg and Nick come over to get started for the day, and Mary and Jenny joined us, before we got a cab to Moonee Valley.

Arriving at the races with a strategy, we each made a dash to the bar for a bottle of champagne each, and then found our spot on the lawn, with the thousands of other punters.

Dan found us on the lawn, and was soon followed by Nikki, Bec, and Alissa. Melissa started to unpack some of the goodies she bought with us, and we were set. The sun was blazing, and all was good.

The afternoon consisted of bottomless champers, sun, and a veiled attempt of paying attention to the horses making noise just over the fence. Mary and I were hanging for the appearance of Daryl Braithwaite for the tradition of The Horses...but no deal this year.

Young Jess found us, as we had more dips and carrot sticks, and salad from our disposable cooler, and the champers started to run out. Luckily, or perhaps unneccessarily, we had our stash of 'special water'. Plans were made for purchases of appropriate mixes, and then the 6 pack of water was cracked, with fresh glasses again from the cooler for our tip-over drink.

As the crowd started to file out of the Valley, we looked very sensible with water, and it was probably a great idea, just quietly. A bit of vodka, mixed with a long day of champers and sun, certainly made the day large.

We walked out, leaving the races behind, and made our way out to the streets of Moonee Ponds. Our plan was to walk to an after party in the area, and we managed to negotiate the streets in the right direction.

I was encourgaged not to enter our chosen establishment by the bouncer, and thus Greg and I found ourselves at KFC for a much needed feed. The rest of the group finished their round at the bar, and then rejoined us.

We soon found ourselves at another bar, with a seedy, sticky dancefloor, and cheesy 80s dance tunes. Perfect for a boozy end to a very fun day at the races!

Certainly couldn't tell you who won the Cox Plate, or any of the other races, and since I don't bet, I didn't lose any cash either. I think the group came out fairly even in that regard, so all in all, a top day out!

Melbourne Cup

Of all the years to be offered a free ticket in a box at Flemington for the Melbourne Cup, considering I have never actually been to the event before, it had to be this year. In my alcohol ban of 6 months! Michelle messaged me a couple of weeks ago checking what I was doing for the day, and would I like to be one of 6 people to go. Well, I couldn't not, could I!?

So finding a dress last weekend, and getting sprayed tan on Friday, I had my hair done early yesterday morning, at Masino, just around the corner. The car arrived to pick me up soon after, and I joined Michelle, Donna and Rebecca, before picking up Nicole on our way to the racetrack.

Michelle's uncle had tickets to his Hill Stand Corporate Suite going, and that's where we ended up. Joined by Ruth, we arrived into our private box, overlooking the racetrack just near the post, with sweeping views of the crowd below and the city aloft. Spectacular! After initial overcast skies, Melbourne put on bright blue cloudless scape, all sunshine....and wind!

We were offered champagne as we took in the view, and started studying the form guide. People watching below, and along the other boxes through within sight, the horses galloped past us.

Already feeling very spoilt, with personal drinks service topping up our glasses (tricky when you can only have two!), our lunch arrived....which was amazing! Fish, mussels, scallops, crab salad, racks of lamb, gnocci, veggies, and roast turkey and baby spuds....Mmmmmm!

Time for the 'Race That Stops A Nation', as the crowd below swelled, and the anthem was sung. Before long the horses were off, and the roar of the crowd as the group raced to the post was electric! The closest Melbourne Cup ever, the result went to a photo finish, with a tense few minutes while the million dollar race winner was declared. Viewed it was, and winnings were collected in our box.

We watched the next races complete, while sunburned and sore footed people below started emptying out. Being the designated driver made sure I would limit myself to my drink allowance, and made it fairly easy for us to get out of the area once we were done with our Cup experience for the day.

Such a special treat, being in the box, having food and drink delivered as we wanted it, and being so close to the action. Big thanks to Michelle, and of course Uncle Brad! We had such a great day!

Cox Plate Birthday

On Saturday I turned 30! Surrounded by family and friends, I had a brilliant day to see the end of my fabulous and full Twenties, and to see in the next decade of my life in style. Being the day of Melbourne’s Cox Plate seemed perfect!

Starting with breakfast at our Carlton North terrace, hosted by Jane (thank you!), Melissa, Clinton and Katie arrived, soon followed by Jessie and Heath, all dressed up for the day of races. Mum, and then Brad and Fiona joined us, as the weather warmed up, and the champagne flowed freely!

The house was further filled with Narelle, Miss Emy, Nancy, and Andrea and Dean, for a great spread and preparations for the day. Patrice arriving signaled the beginning of the trek for the racegoers to Moonee Valley, all piled into a maxitaxi, with the rendition of Happy Birthday along the way.

Arriving at the race track, we managed to get our fully stocked hampers in for the day, and found our posse beside the track, after finding Mariead amongst the punters. Again the champagne flowed, snacks were passed about, and we even saw the races!

A flutter or two in vain, and being right next to the stage, we all joined in to the crowd backing of Darryl Braithwaite’s As The Days Go By, and in the second set, the all appropriate Horses. Very funny.

Met up with Mary and her posse of lads, we watched the main race, after a few more uneducated bets, before continuing to devour our food and drink stashes. Eventually left as the last group on the grass amid the sea of racegoer debris, we were herded out of the Valley, and onto an overcrowded tram into the city. I remember getting a tram filled version of Happy Birthday here, amongst other songs, with the Katie and Jessie led attempt at getting Hold Music going much too ambitious!!

Discovering the early hour by having a drink at the Purple Emerald with just ourselves, we had a few more drink stops, including Three Below. My iPod tells me I got home safely just before midnight, tired feet and aching legs all feeling their 30 years!

Royal Ascot

Yesterday a big group of us went to the races! Royal Ascot is steeped in history, fashion and high stakes - apparently!! I was just there to enjoy the day out!

After showering and dressing in the morning, I was attacked with hairdyer and powder brushes, and whatever else, by two of my housemates (thanks Toni and Nata!!), before trekking down to Chantal's house for our pre-racing breakfast gathering.

Champagne, bagels, cream cheese and salmon, the gathering was the perfect way to get charged for our big day out. We then caught the train out to Ascot, and finished off our travelers on the way.

Having quite a large group, once we got into the Silver Circle area, we all seemed to disperse, and in between drinks and walking around, and soaking in the sun, the task of regrouping was an effort!



Usually I've been to the races back home, and have never seen a race (usually concentrating on people and drinking! You know how it is!). But yesterday I surprised myself by actually watching at least two races!! Hee hee!

Selecting my dress in the first store I went into after work on Friday night after work, it was still shocking to see about 12 other girls in the same dress in the Silver Circle! There were a group of dress clones actually, not just my little number. (More photos)

When the last race finished, we took some time in the shade tent for some much needed respite from the sun, before heading to the massive pub just near the Ascot train station - which was so much fun! People mingling, mucking about, introducing themselves to anyone and everyone - everyone was just brimming with the good day that Ascot put on.