Melbourne Cup 2020: Where celebrities are watching, who they tip to win
A touch of red was the order of the day at Sydney’s big celebrity Melbourne Cup day soiree as champagne sponsor G.H. Mumm set up shop at the Pier One Hotel overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour. SEE THE PICTURES
Confidential
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A touch of red was the order of the day at Sydney’s big celebrity Melbourne Cup day soiree today.
With Flemington’s Birdcage shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, champagne sponsor G.H. Mumm set up shop at the Pier One Hotel overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour where punters could watch Twilight Payment win the $8million race.
COVID-safe protocols were in play, including guests having to sit down throughout the event, as the likes of Bachelorette’s Elly and Becky Miles and singer Thandi Phoenix frocked up to celebrate the big race.
Other guests included Lisa Wilkinson, a heavily pregnant Monika Radulovic, Tegan Martin, Georgia Fowler and Francesca Hung.
Milliner Viktoria Novak said more Australians felt included in the festivities this year.
“I love that people are being a bit more creative at home,” she said.
“There isn’t that fear or being judged as much. People are starting their own new trends, which I just love. Everyone is a superstar right now, which is awesome.
TV presenter Kate Peck agreed.
“It is so inclusive this year, which is really special,” Peck said.
“I feel like everyone in the country really feels a part of it this year.”
Model mum Nikki Phillips has attended the Birdcage in Melbourne for the past six years.
“There is a part of me that misses Melbourne and the ambience of it but Sydney is really taking control and doing it very well,” she said.
Down in Melbourne, where the action usually is, new venue The Commons was the place to be to watch the winners come in.
Musician Jon Stevens and partner Heloise Pratt hosted friends including Nick Giannopoulos and more at the Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh venue.
Stevens performed a prerecorded rendition of INXS’ Never Tear Us Apart at Flemington Racecourse due to COVID-19 restrictions and he told Confidential it was an honour.
“I’m very honoured to be asked to perform at such an iconic event. It’s been such a strange year,” Stevens said.
Pratt added: “Melbourne has been very hard hit due to the pandemic and I think we’re finally lucky to see the end of it. We spent most of our time in lockdown cuddling a lot and focusing on exercise, diet and our children and (Jon’s) grandchildren.”
THE CUP AT HOME: CELEBS’ OFF-FIELD STYLES
Melbourne Cup celebrations will be hard to miss this afternoon as Sydney celebrities make their own fun this year.
With Flemington Racecourse off limits due to the coronavirus pandemic, our favourite familiar faces are spread out at restaurants and pub venues across town.
Many too are watching the race that stops the nation from the comfort of their own homes while Melbourne Cup champagne sponsor G.H. Mumm has set up its marquee at Sydney’s Pier One Hotel where the likes of Georgia Fowler and Kate Peck will be among the guests.
Sunrise sports reporter Mark Berretta said it is his first Melbourne Cup in 25 years that he hasn’t been at Flemington.
Instead, he is settling in for an afternoon at Sydney’s The Oaks pub in Neutral Bay.
Home And Away actor Sarah Roberts has the afternoon off shooting the TV soap and has landed a deejaying gig at The Cosmopolitan in Double Bay.
She will is wearing Ford Millinery.
“They have given me some pretty little things to wear that won’t get tangled in my headphones,” she said.
Celebrations in Melbourne will be subdued this year with coronavirus restrictions easing over the past week.
Revellers will partake in a COVID-safe virtual Birdcage this year, as organisers encourage all Australians to create their own marquee experience by igniting their senses at home.
The Myer Fashions on the Field has been recreated as ‘Fashions on Your Front lawn’, a photo-based competition to be hosted online.
There is just one major event in Melbourne, with man about town Bruce Keebaugh hosting celebrities including Heloise Pratt, Jon Stevens and Vince Colosimo at his new venue, The Commons.
Lexus Australia ambassador Kate Waterhouse has kicked off the festivities at home in a glamorous ensemble.
TV presenter Renee Bargh opted for comfort as she ditched her high heels and went barefoot in photos shared on Instagram.
She said she’s celebrating at home with friends and family.
“Today I’m celebrating @FlemingtonVRC’s Melbourne Cup Day a little differently, at home with my family and friends, barefoot, a picnic and some [champagne],” she wrote.
“Not only is it a huge day of racing, but I’m also super excited to see my girl Delta Goodrem perform along with The Rubens, Pete Murray, Jon Stevens and Bonnie Anderson.”
Studio 10 co-hosts Sarah Harris and Tristan MacManus dressed for the occasion while filming the show as part of the official broadcast.
News presenter Amber Sherlock celebrated at Bathers’ Pavilion on Balmoral Beach.
SAS Australia’s Roxy Jacenko made her way to Mimi’s in Coogee with chicken heiress Jess Ingham.
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