The Everest 2021: Racy fashion on display | Pictures

Cut-out styles, midriff dresses, low-cut neckline and super short skirts were all on show at Sydney’s first big racing day of the season. See the pictures.

The Australian Turf Club has banned punters from wearing cut-out fashion ensembles in the members lounge, however that didn’t stop racegoers from embracing the trend and flashing their flesh at The Everest on Saturday.

Cut-out styles, midriff dresses, low-cut neckline and super short skirts were all on show when the 10,000 strong crowd made their way through the gates for the richest race on turf.

Racegoers were thrilled to be able to frock up. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty

Women posting up in their new frocks. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty

From left: Poppy Clark, Tamara Best, Antonia Gazal and Alice Crammond arrive at the races. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

From left: Georgia Longworth, Sarah Tricks, Rosie Southcott, Juliette Polesy and Charlotte Atkins at The Everest. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

AFL player Buddy Franklin, Seven personalities Sonia Kruger, Samantha Armytage and Mark Ferguson and Mel McLaughlin, Nine’s Karl Stefanovic, Allison Langdon and Richard Wilkins, and politicians Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Police Minister David Elliott, former transport minister Andrew Constance, Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson, Water Minister Melinda Pavey and Labor leader Anthony Albanese were among the 10,000-strong crowd who attended the hotly anticipated event.

Samantha Armytage and husband Richard Lavender. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Home and Away stars Sophie Dillman with partner Patrick O'Connor. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mel McLaughlin (left) pictured with sister Leanne McLaughlin. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Sonia Kruger. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The race was won by the favourite, Nature Strip. The Chris Waller-trained horse took out the $6.2 million first prize, winning the 1200m sprint from Masked Crusader and Eduardo.

It may have been a ­smaller crowd than the 42,000 who packed into Royal Randwick for the 2019 event, yet the buzz and enthusiasm made the crowd seem much larger.

John Barilaro. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A woman in a 'day of the dead' mask. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

Stefanovic said the atmosphere was still buzzing.

“It is so wonderful to be out and about after what Sydney has been through,” Stefanovic said.

“And to have Chris Waller win just made the day perfect. What a legend.”

Speeches were made in the Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand Ballroom by Racing Minister Anderson, who joked that the ATC should be added to the NSW lobbyist register.

“Our phones have been ringing so hot,” he said.

“To the ladies for getting dressed up, thank you. It is a celebration day, we are back.”

Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding said: “We are the real winners because we will experience Australia’s richest race and the world’s richest race on turf live.”

Sonia Kruger summed up the mood of the day perfectly: “And the winner is … Sydney! We’re finally free and Everest Day could not have been a more perfect celebration!” the Big Brother host said.

The Sunday Telegraph revealed as many as 10,000 double-vaccinated spectators will be able to attend the upcoming Golden Eagle at Rosehill and the Bentley Cup at Royal Randwick.