Gold Coast punters celebrate Derby Day in style at Aquis Park
Thousands of punters bolted through the gates to celebrate Derby Day in style. Here’s all the action from the Gold Coast Turf Club and Event Centre.
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A giant storm cell did not kill the vibe of Gold Coast Derby Day celebrations.
More than 4000 revellers bolted through the gates at Aquis Park on Saturday to kick off the spring racing carnival.
Bachelorette star Jake Ellis and Coast racing icon Brittany Baldwin joined punters at the Moet Ice Imperial trackside party at the Aquis Park Gold Coast Event Centre.
Monochrome dominated the fashion field along with oversized puffy sleeves and oversized hats.
Men opted for three-piece suits or textured jackets and chinos.
Coolangatta’s Tori Stewart, Ashley Gil, Brooke McLarn and Paige Greacean stood out from the crowd in Zimmerman, Kookai and M & CO.
“This is our first time out to the races since COVID-19 and it’s been so much fun to get dressed up,” Ashley Gill, who was runner up in the female division of Fashions On the Field, said.
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David and Jayne Williams from Tweed Heads said enjoy their day despite the afternoon storm activity.
Queensland Fire and Emergency services and Gold Coast City Council issued emergency warnings as the storm intensified, urging motorists to get off the road and seek shelter.
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“We will just sit in here and drink, the storm isn’t ruining our mood or our punting luck,” Mrs Williams said.
Racing went ahead without crowds at Melbourne’s Flemington racecourse but the action was televised around the nation on Network 10, along with coverage from the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Fashion on the Field returned for first time since COVID-19 saw the popular competition conducted virtually.
Jake Ellis hosted the event and stylist Kimberly Gardner and MJ Bale’s Frank Paino judged entrants across multiple categories.
First-time Fashion On The Field entrant Liz Henrison, 47, from Bundall was crowned the best dressed female.
She was a standout in simple, yet elegant patterned Sass and Bide wide-leg pants, a white Misha Collection blouse and black David Jones top hat.
“I didn’t put much thought into but I love getting dressed up for the races,” she said.
She won more than $2500 worth in prizes, including a $1500 Louis Vitton Voucher.
When asked for Melbourne Cup fashion advice, she said racegoers should be comfortable and confident and not scared to push the boundaries.
Vlad and Kate Lukashovs were crowned the best dressed couple and Broadbeach’s Kall Burns was the best dressed male.
Aquis Park CEO Steve Lines said he looked forward to Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 3.
“Melbourne Cup is an iconic event and Aquis Park is the place to be to experience all the
excitement and drama from down south, with live local racing and a flourish of our unique
Gold Coast flair,” Mr Lines said.
The day will feature seven live races, big screens broadcasting all the action from Flemington and premium entertainment packages.
Gates will open at 9am.
Melbourne Cup Fashions on the Field will debut a new hybrid format where entrants are
photographed on the Marina Mirage Fashion Podium from 10.30am to 12pm.
The photos are submitted for virtual judging across the categories of Best Dressed Female,
Best Dressed Male and Millinery.
A few tickets remain to The Event Centre Melbourne Cup Day Party for $160 including
grazing menu, beverage package, cocktail-style seating and entertainment with general
admission tickets to Melbourne Cup also available from $20.
Originally published as Gold Coast punters celebrate Derby Day in style at Aquis Park