Eight-week Sydney Spring Everest Carnival starts with a splash

Racing, fashion, and media personalities turned out in their brightest Spring colours, headbands, hats, and heels to launch spectacular eight-week Sydney Everest Carnival.

Marie Ikonomou, Kim Naylor, six-time Sydney Premiership winning jockey James McDonald, Olivia Lawecki and Isabella Rennie Surra on board The Jackson on Sydney Harbour for the launch of the Sydney Everest Carnival 2022. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Sydney Spring Carnival started with a splash on Tuesday aboard luxury vessel The Jackson in Darling Harbour.

Choppy waters couldn’t dampen the spirits of special guests including six-time winning Sydney Premiership jockey James McDonald, and elite trainers Chris Waller, Paul Snowden, Adrian Bott and Annabel Neasham.

McDonald humbly said of his racing career: “I wasn’t ever going to do anything else.

“It’s more a relief (my horse) is the favourite. He’s been there, done it.”

Racing, fashion, and media personalities turned out in their brightest Spring colours, headbands, hats, and heels to soak in the views and the exuberance of the eight-week Sydney Everest Carnival’s return.

The consensus among them is that Sydney’s racing crowd knows how to have a good time, more than prim and “prestigious” Melbourne.

James McDonald, six-time Sydney Premiership winning jockey, on-board The Jackson on Sydney Harbour. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I’d say Melbourne is more serious about the fashion and the racing,” the model Holtznagel siblings mused.

“And Sydney is more fun.”

Madeline Holtznagel and Simone Holtznagel grab a quick selfie after watching the performance by QUEEN FOREVER tribute band. Picture: Wendell Teodoro

Simone Holtznagel sported a red ensemble by her friend Alex Perry, Ford Millinery, and Jimmy Choo that she’ll “be wearing again, for sure,” although not on race day.

“My feet actually hurt more when I don’t wear heels. I wear them so often I’ve shortened my Achilles tendons,” she said.

Confidential fact-checked that one, and yes it’s possible.

Meanwhile Madeline Hotznagel pulled a pink frock out from the depths of her wardrobe.

Madeline Holtznagel pulled a dress out of her wardrobe for the event, and Simone Holtznagel was dressed by celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson. Picture: Richard Dobson

Former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage dressed in Aussie designer Sarah-Jane Clarke, and “an old straw hat from years ago”.

She wouldn’t be drawn on who is likely to replace Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair.

“Oh god, far be it for me to say,” she said. “ I’m totally out of the loop these days.”

Sam Armytage sported an ensemble by Aussie designer Sarah-Jane Clarke. Picture: Richard Dobson

“As for reports from yesterday that Nine wasn’t interested in me: I’m under contract with Channel 7 for 18 months, so that’s all a bit silly really.”

Armytage and her husband Richard Lavender have their horse Pretty Wild in training with Chris Waller at the moment, and are quite happy to travel to wherever the races are, she said. She’ll be hosting Seven’s coverage of the races from Epsom Day onwards.

Richard Lavender and Sam Armytage are happy to travel Australia to take in the races. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I think there’s room for both. Racing is the winner of Sydney and Melbourne getting involved,” Armytage said diplomatically.

Meanwhile, Chris Waller is set to miss the first few days of events, which run from 17 September to 5 November at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens, to attend the Queen’s funeral.

The thoroughbred trainer of super mare Winx looked after many of the Queen’s horses, and was one of only 10 people from Australia, other than dignitaries, invited to the funeral at London’s Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Chris Waller, the thoroughbred trainer of super mare Winx who also looked after many of the Queen’s horses, was one of only 10 people from Australia, other than dignitaries, invited to the funeral.

Waller told Confidential that he spoke to the Queen “occasionally” and found her to be “a warm person” who made him feel “very comfortable”.

“She’s very curious. She just loved horses, loved animals, and showed a keen interest in the Commonwealth. She always asked about how my horses were doing,” he said.

Of the 2022 Everest being the richest yet, he added: “I think it’s like all sports — they’re evolving and if you don’t evolve, then people will get bored and you’ll get left behind.”