Political, business, social and fashion leaders to attend the world’s richest race on turf
It’s the hottest ticket in town and favours are being called in as Sydney’s socialites jockey to get a seat trackside at Royal Randwick for The Everest. See who’s getting an invite.
Confidential
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It is the hottest ticket in town and favours are being called in to get a seat trackside at Royal Randwick for The Everest on Saturday.
“I have heard from people I haven’t spoken to in years,” Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding said.
“My phone is ringing off the hook.”
He will be hosting a table in The Ballroom that will include Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Deputy Premier Paul Toole.
“The problem for those people calling me is that right now we are oversubscribed for The Ballroom,” Mr Balding said.
“We expect an 80 per cent response to invitations and we have more than that. I just can’t fit anyone else in.”
Mingling in the same room as anticipation for the $15 million race builds to a crescendo will be Sunrise presenters Natalie Barr, Mark Beretta and their Weekend Sunrise colleague Sally Bowrey together with Mark Ferguson and Gemma Acton from Seven News and Juliet Love and Charlie Albone from Better Homes and Gardens.
Also in The Ballroom will be Olympic gold medal winning swimmer and Australian Turf Club ambassador Emma McKeon and Seven sport presenter Mel McLaughlin.
“It is the same story right across the racecourse,” Mr Balding said.
“The whole place will be buzzing.”
Among the pollies attending will be government MPs Nathaniel Smith, Dave Layzell and Sam Farraway.
However state and federal Labor MPs, including leader Chris Minns, are expected to prioritise the NSW State Labor conference at Sydney Town Hall. On Saturday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be taking a punt on inspiring his state colleagues rather than on the horses.
At Royal Randwick the big hitters will be in the Director’s Room with Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys, who has previously hosted everyone from Prime Ministers, including former PM Tony Abbott, to mining heiress Gina Rinehart and movie star Bryan Brown.
On Saturday the high powered guest list in the invite-only room is expected to include Premier Dominic Perrottet and media bosses including Seven chief executive James Warburton, Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby and The Daily Telegraph editor Ben English.
Before the pandemic The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, was attracting crowds of more than 40,000 race fans and hopes are high Saturday’s attendance will match that. The entire Everest Carnival attracts more than 130,000 race goers and pumps $100 million into the NSW economy.
That makes it a hit with business leaders who see the race day as an ideal time to network and entertain clients. On Friday Business Sydney will host a $180-a-head lunch in the new WINX stand at Royal Randwick where former Sunrise host Samantha Armytagewill interview Mr V’landys.
Many of those in attendance, including former Olympics supremo Rod McGeoch, will be back for the big race the following day. However Racing Minister Kevin Anderson, who will be at the lunch, will be a surprising and notable absentee from NSW racing’s biggest day.
Paul Nicolaou, chief executive of Business Sydney, said: “The Everest is one of the most popular places to mix business with pleasure and many of Sydney’s business leaders will enjoy the networking opportunities trackside at this blue chip classic.”
Most of The Everest slot holders have corporate boxes including Coolmore, Inglis, The Star and Steggles with WINX owner Debbie Kepitis. Other box holders include adman John Singleton who in the past has hosted his long term racing buddy Gerry Harvey at the races.
The real backroom powerbrokers on the day will be found among the 250 journalists, Macquarie Street and Canberra political staffers in the Tabcorp marquee which will be hosted by Tabcorp chief executive Adam Rytenskild, chairman Bruce Akhurst and board member and former NRL chief executive David Gallop. Joining them will be former rugby league legend and Bulldogs staffer Willie Mason.
Nearby Crown has Nobu chef Harold Hurtada producing signature dishes in The Rider’s Club Marquee with guests hosted by newly minted chief executive Mark McWhinnie.
The Centennial Restaurant will see Sydney fashion designer Lillian Khallouf, model Simone Holtznagel and her celebrity trainer boyfriend Jono Castano, Former Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson, New Zealand model Nikki Phillips, NRLW Paramatta Eels player Tiana Penitani and fashion stylist Donny Galella.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said: “The hottest tickets in town are selling faster than ever as Sydney gets out and about for spring racing again.
“We built additional marquees with some of Sydney’s biggest names such as China Doll and these quickly reached capacity.
“Some corporate and hospitality bookings were made just days after last year’s Everest with some areas sold out months ago.”
Of course not everyone will be sipping champagne and placing bets. TV presenters Emma Freedman, Kate Waterhouse and Samantha Armytage from Seven and Ally Mosely and Chantelle Buckley from Sky Racing will all be working.
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