‘Best week of the year’: Inside the luxury of Flemington’s Birdcage
Flemington’s VIP marquees have opened their doors to unveil bigger, brighter and bolder levels of luxury for racegoers in the Birdcage enclosure.
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New Victoria Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers was humbled by the level of “extraordinary” as Flemington’s exclusive Birdcage enclosure revealed bigger, brighter and bolder levels of luxury for racegoers.
Before the Melbourne Cup Carnival sets off and racing with a sunny Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, the VIP marquees opened their doors to unveil sky-high views, creative interiors, hair and pamper stations, premium food and most glaringly, space galore.
Bec Judd, a Crown ambassador, will mark 20 years of going to the track this year.
“It is so incredible, three levels here and it’s the best week of the year in Melbourne,’’ she said.
“Derby Day for me is my favourite day. I love that everyone here looks so chic in black and white. It’s a very Melbourne day and I can’t wait. Guillaume (Brahimi) on the tools and he’s getting on the decks and I’ll be getting on the dancefloor. I think my first year (coming) was 2004 so 20 years of Flemington — it’s exciting.”
Marquees including Landmark by Lexus, Crown, Penfolds, G.H. Mumm, Furphy and Penfolds, are offering their most lavish and complete experiences.
Food: think crab sandwiches, oysters, caviar bumps and lobster rolls — and drink: think G.H. Mumm, Marmont cocktails, St Remio coffee cream, Penfolds Grange 2020 and pink hued Don Julio tequila in the Club Rosado and 1942 bar.
Rogers was hailing this year as the Birdcage’s dominant era.
“The level and depth that our sponsors have gone to is extraordinary,’’ Rogers said.
“It’s really humbling to see it all come to life. We are back baby.”
Footy returned to the psyche with Melbourne star Christian Petracca enjoying the Penfolds tasting cube and secret bar. After suffering serious injury in June, he said he’s in a “really good space” and fully committed to the club after returning from a much-needed training stint in Austria.
“I’m in a really good head space with everything and just excited for the first day of pre-season,’’ he said.
Olympic swimming champion Emma McKeon will be boarding the G.H. Mumm private jet dining room, which hosts 10 people at a time with a curated menu by Victor Churchill, with her partner, singer Cody Simpson.
“Since Paris I’ve been doing a lot of fun things and drinking champagne and spending time with friends and family is one of them,’’ she said.
New TAB boss Gillon McLachlan forecast Champions Stakes Day would be the celebrity day at his “double decker” two level marquee after hosting clients on the first three days.
“The last day we might have a bit of celebrity. And hopefully some politicians, they’re all welcome. Stakes Day will be a big day with a bit more focus on celebrity.
“It’s been good, it’s a complicated industry and I’m learning. I love the racing and it’s nice to be involved.”
Originally published as ‘Best week of the year’: Inside the luxury of Flemington’s Birdcage
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