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Spring racing carnival

November

Peter V’landys is not a fan of “nanny state ideology”.

V’landys slams gambling probe, claims NRL betting is least damaging

Peter V’landys doubled down on past claims racing and sports betting are less harmful than lotteries and slammed all 31 recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry.

  • Ronald Mizen
VRC CEO Kylie Rogers

How Victoria Racing Club’s new boss plans to turn around its fortunes

Kylie Rogers was used to managing people with different priorities and agendas as one of the AFL’s top commercial executives. Now she has an even bigger challenge.

  • Zoe Samios and Patrick Durkin

October

Tabcorp and former AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan with VRC CEO and former AFL executive Kylie Rogers and chef Guillaume Brahimi in the Crown tent.

Why Tabcorp’s Gill McLachlan has banned pollies from the Birdcage

Politicians and journalists have been given short shrift, while Anthony Albanese and others will probably skip G.H. Mumm’s private jet theme.

  • Patrick Durkin

Michelle Payne can finally enjoy the weekend before Melbourne Cup

For the retired jockey, Melbourne Cup Carnival is now about preparing commentary, catching up with friends and enjoying the city’s best bars and restaurants.

  • Hannah Tattersall
Jackie Frank at Feekah Cafe.

Off to the races? Jackie Frank’s advice for dressing the part

If ever there was a chance to push the boundaries, this is it, urges the long-time judge of the Melbourne Cup’s Fashions on the field. And that includes you, men.

  • Lauren Sams
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Soak up the Melbourne Cup atmosphere at these top wine bars

Settle in, order a glass, and watch the world go by at these five fabulous institutions.

  • Max Allen
Chef Ross Lusted at Flemington Racecourse, Ross is the guest chef at The Byerley restaurant in the Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse.

For those on the list, Melbourne Cup dining is first across the line

Ross Lusted will cater for members at Flemington Racecourse ahead of his first Melbourne restaurant opening, and Birdcage guests are in for some feasting, too.

  • Necia Wilden

November 2023

Peter V’landys.

Chris Minns changes the law for Peter V’Landys. Again.

Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding was coming up on his statutory term limit. The Labor government announced new legislation to extend his tenure.

  • Mark Di Stefano
Gai Waterhouse with Gold Bullion in Melbourne on Friday.

Waterhouse and Waller vie for Victoria Derby, Golden Eagle victory

The meet at Flemington in Melbourne marks the beginning of a spring racing carnival that continues into next week with the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

  • Zoe Samios and Patrick Durkin

An early peek inside the Melbourne Cup Birdcage

This year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival feels more fashion, fine dining and racing up front and party out the back.

  • Patrick Durkin

October 2023

Liam O’Keeffe VRC Senior Track Manager on the track at Flemington racecourse.

Is this the toughest job in the Victoria Racing Club?

Forget the horses. Punters need track manager Liam O’Keeffe to deliver for them, too. And while he does his best, some things are simply beyond his control.

  • Hannah Tattersall

September 2023

Brian To’o helped the Panthers to a fourth straight grand final.

Bookmaker faces largest payout in sports gambling history

Sunday might be payday for tens of thousands of gamblers who have been sitting on potentially lucrative 100-1 bets on the Panthers for almost a year.

  • Mark Di Stefano and Sam Buckingham-Jones
This year’s Caulfield Cup will be held on October 21, and there will be a new Caulfield Thousand Guineas Day on November 18.

Racing looks for new ways to stop the nation

How to lure young punters to the track? Racing clubs are testing some new ideas during the spring racing season.

  • Hannah Tattersall
Celebrity chef Curtis Stone with the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup, and Clerk of the Course, to announce his pop up Birdcage food stall this year, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

Curtis Stone bringing Michelin-starred LA restaurant to Melbourne Cup

Just when you thought spring-carnival catering couldn’t get fancier, Melbourne and Sydney are upping the stakes.

  • Necia Wilden
The Age Sport/News. Fashion on the Field winner Bernadette May and Best Suited winner Sherlon Garbo. 2022 Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3, 2022.Photo: Eddie Jim.

It’s time to suit yourself in the spring-racing fashion stakes

Trackside is the time to express yourself, with the style experts saying that anything goes. All the same, these guidelines will ensure you look your most fabulous.

  • Hannah Tattersall
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April 2023

Betr sidestepped disaster when Gold Trip won last year’s Melbourne Cup.

News Corp’s Betr slapped with fine for 100-1 odds campaign

The fine from the NSW gambling regulator comes as questions are being raised about the future of the online bookmaker.

  • Mark Di Stefano

November 2022

Winning jockey Mark Zahra with the Melbourne Cup.

Cup winners: start-up bookie Betr shares Flemington spotlight

Gold Trip won the race, but the story of the day was a business one.

  • The AFR View

October 2022

Australian model Duckie Thot does the ‘tap-tap’ at Mumm.

The Birdcage is back despite rain and rates

Adam Furphy’s house near Shepparton is flooded but the managing director of J Furphy & Sons will be hosting guests at the Spring Racing Carnival. It’s bittersweet, he says, but life must go on.

  • Patrick Durkin
Model Montana Cox pops a cork of Mumm’s champagne in celebration. Chef de cave Laurent Fresnet will be at Mumm’s marquee this year to introduce a collection of limited-edition cuvées paired with appetisers.

Put on your party frocks: The Birdcage is back, bigger than ever

Victoria Racing Club has pulled out all the stops, adding a fine-dining marquee and other delights, while principal sponsor Lexus is going green.

  • Paul Best

September 2022

Felicity Northeast AR filter.

A hat for the races? There’s a filter for that

Searching for the perfect adornment to your race day outfit? Melbourne milliner Felicity Northeast has a nifty fix.

  • Lauren Sams

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/spring-racing-carnival-5zj