As Australia’s largest racing carnival begins, tens of thousands of gamblers have let their hair down.
On Derby Day, the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Melburnians donned their finest black and white gowns and suits to pack Flemington Racecourse.
Sydneysiders donned their finest attire and flocked to Rosehill Gardens for Golden Eagle Day as the sun shone brightly.
The champagne and beer were flowing freely at both racetracks, where the punters were in high spirits and planned to continue the festivities late into the evening.
It was the largest Derby Day throng since 2019, when most racegoers were barred from Flemington owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
The majority of Flemington guests adhered to the customary Derby Day dress code of black and white, and not even a late afternoon downpour could dampen their spirits.
However, not every racegoer was on their best behavior as security personnel and police escorted them out of the arena.
Many racegoers at Flemington came prepared with umbrellas, while others are more than willing to dance in the pouring rain.
After a hard day on high heels, several women were barefoot, and some shoes were beyond repair.
Flemington racegoers were joined at the track by a number of notable celebrities, led by Michael Douglas.
Many bettors will repeat their wagers in three days, when 100,000 racegoers crowd Flemington for the nation-stopping Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
Due to Covid limitations, the track will welcome a capacity audience on Melbourne Cup Day for the first time in three years.
In 2019, there was no crowd, while in 2018, just 10,000 double-vaccinated racegoers were admitted.
On the racecourse, Manzoice won the prestigious $2 million Victoria Derby following a breathtaking final furlong on Saturday.
Top hoop Michael Dee steered Chris Waller’s three-year-old colt to victory at odds of $21 (TAB.com.au) with a stunning turn of foot, winning both the Caulfield Cup and the Victoria Derby Derby.
It almost never transpired as Manzoice struggled for form in Sydney’s Derby prep, which was marred by faulty barriers and flooded courses.
Dee defeated the much favored Sharp ‘n’ Smart in the last strides to win the Kentucky Derby by a head, with the $15 outsider Aberfeldie Boy finishing in third.
It was a thrilling finale to the race that appeared to have produced yet another Group 1 winner for Australia’s finest jockey James McDonald, but Dee was confident in his mount’s ability to cross the finish line.
“Had you told me before this Spring that I would have won two major Group 1 events, I would have definitely laughed,” the athlete stated. After the race, Dee said on the Channel 10 broadcast, “It’s quite bizarre, and I hope it continues!”
‘Fortuitously, they had a nice pace up front, but he was able to steadily develop, lengthen, and quicken all the way down the street. His endurance came into play just when the others were beginning to tire. He was able to release it.
Waller is celebrating his second victory in the Victoria Derby, as he reviewed his first victory in the race to conclude Manzoice’s career.
The champion trainer used the identical gear change, a set of side winkers, on his most recent victory as he did on Preference.
Sydneysiders will not have a public holiday on Tuesday, but they can still enjoy horse racing at Royal Randwick and Rosehill on the following Saturday.