Celebrities, punters step up in Sydney for Randwick’s Big Dance
A new tradition has been born in Australian racing with Sydney kicking up its heels for the first running of the $2m race, The Big Dance, at Royal Randwick.
NSW
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A new tradition has been born in Australian racing with Sydney kicking up its heels for the first running of the $2m race, The Big Dance, at Royal Randwick.
On Melbourne Cup Day, the day the race traditionally stops the nation, two brand new races that will electrify racing right across NSW stamped themselves on the day.
“They say racing is built on tradition but I believe today is the beginning of a new tradition,” Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding said on Tuesday.
“In the next few years The Big Dance and The Little Dance will cement themselves in Australian racing history.”
It was a day when the country came to the city to see 20 winners from country cups across NSW to compete for an unheard-of $2m in prize money.
IN PICTURES: HOW SYDNEY PARTIED AT THE BIG DANCE
The runners-up in those country cups raced for $500,000 in The Little Dance.
While Melbourne laboured with wild weather, the owners and trainers at Royal Randwick basked in bright sunshine for the 1600m race The Big Dance.
As Rustic Steel with Nash Rawiller in the saddle powered to the front his trainer Kris Lees and his wife Kristy and daughter Emerson were screaming with emotion.
As Rustic Steel crossed the line they were jumping with excitement.
“I am still shaking,” Newcastle-based Lees said afterwards.
“This race has been so well received. It is so good to give people in country racing a chance to win this sort of money.”
Emerson was thrilled for Rustic Steel.
“He is such a war horse,” she said. “I am so proud of him. It is so much work to get to this point; it is really nice to get a win.”
Kristy Lees was equally delighted, but for a different reason.
“Kris will be a lot easier to be around now. It’s been a tough couple of weeks,” she said.
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori made the trip from England only for his horse Hosier to pull up sore and trot home last.
Despite the disappointment he was thrilled by his first trip to Sydney.
“I loved it. I have never been here before but everybody has been so nice, it has been a great experience,” he said before boarding a flight for Kentucky and The Breeders Cup.
Next year he plans to return for another crack at the Melbourne Cup or The Big Dance.
More than 24,000 people dressed up to attend the day that is second only to The Everest, which set a modern day record with 46,000 people at Royal Randwick at the start of The Everest Carnival.
The day was broadcast by Channel 7, scoring a ratings win for The Golden Eagle over Ten’s Derby coverage.
Presenter Sam Armytage said: “It is great to have some really good quality racing in spring in Sydney.”
Sonia Kruger, host of The Voice said: “It is a national event and we don’t want to feel like we can’t celebrate with the rest of the country … this is the perfect way to do it.”
Politicians, business leaders, sports people and celebrities including Channel 7 boss James Warburton and his Nine opposite number Mike Sneesby packed into the Ballroom.
Also there were NSW opposition racing spokeswoman Courtney Houssos, who turned down a trip to Melbourne to attend, former Queensland premier Peter Beattie and Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
Cricketer Brett Lee enjoyed hospitality in The Manor by China Doll.
“Nothing against Melbourne, it is where the Melbourne Cup is run, but apparently it is going to snow there today and there is hail and rain,” he said.
Here in Sydney, Royal Randwick is bathed in sunshine, it is a great place to visit and the atmosphere is incredible,” he said.
Up in the Tabcorp private suite communications minister Michelle Rowlands toasted with former foreign minister Marise Payne and her husband, former NSW minister Stuart Ayres.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said: “Why would anyone bother going to miserable Melbourne when they can be where it happens at Randwick?”
Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge has been the culinary ambassador throughout The Everest Carnival but on Tuesday was off the clock enjoying the races as a punter.
“Usually it is for court,” he joked of wearing a suit.
“Today is a very different day, we are giving Melbourne a run for their money in the horses and in food. Look at the weather. This is the first time in a couple of years there are no restrictions, everyone is out having fun, they are all dressed to the nines and now are going to feed them some proper grub.”
The Everest Carnival has brought more than 130,000 people to the racetrack and generated around $100m for the NSW economy in hospitality, fashion, tourism and accommodation.
Jenaya Kohler, 20, travelled up from Wollongong with friends for the day.
“Everyone is having a really nice day in the sun. It is so good to dress up and go out,” she said.
Insurance adviser Will Freitas took his Sydney CBD-based team to Royal Randwick for the big day.
“It is a cracking day, the energy here is electric,” he said.
Chart topping British band Rudimental’s Piers Aggatt and Leon ‘Locksmith’ Rolle were on hand to wrap the day with a headline performance as part of the ATC’s After The Last concert series overlooking the Theatre of the Horse.
They were given special dispensation to defy the dress code and dress casual on the day.
“I am dressed up right now,” Aggatt said. “I have worn a suit once or twice in my whole life, there has been a few weddings. To be fair, it is fun doing the proper dress up if the occasion calls for it.”
The Last British band Rudimental took to the stage to smash out a set that had everyone jumping, ensuring The Big Dance will not be the last dance.
Locksmith added: “Coming out of the pandemic, everyone is just thirsty for it. Getting back here is an amazing feeling. We have been bottling up all of this energy, stuck at home with our wives and our children and we are happy to be out … the reigns are off.”
Rudimental is known for uncovering and nurturing new talent, having worked with the likes of Anne-Marie and John Newman before they went on to become huge names in their own right.
They urged any potential Aussie talent to reach out on social media.
“Send us stuff, DM us on social media,” Aggatt said. “We find artists through social media. We are always looking for new talent, whichever way it comes, emails, social media, any way.”
PARTIES DOT HARBOUR CITY
From the suburbs to the city and even the harbour, Sydney came alive on Melbourne Cup Day
Sydneysiders might not have a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup, but wild horses couldn’t drag them away from the allure of cold champers in the sunshine at venues across the city.
Some 300 suited and stilettoed partygoers boarded the luxury $15 million dollar super yacht.
The Jackson at 12pm for a long lunch and Fashions on the Harbour show, spread across three levels.
Kellie Hush, one of the most influential figures in Australian fashion, shared her judging criteria for the on-board parade: “I always love women, and guys, who respect the race code but add a bit of a twist. So yes, we need headwear, and to respect Spring tradition. But I like people who push it a little bit with the fashion.”
Hush used to go to Melbourne every year, and said this is her first time celebrating at home in two decades.
“I was at Randwick on the way and it’s just crazy. There’s people everywhere,” she said.
“The beautiful thing is, everyone’s really dressed up. Even walking onto the boat today, there’s a gorgeous atmosphere. Everyone’s panicked they won’t be able to get home, but who really cares?”
Most were corporate workers who had pulled a sickie to make the most of the glorious sunshine, telling The Daily Telegraph that the Melbourne Cup is a perfect excuse for “a girls day out”.
The queues to board stretched all the way down the wharf, and by 1pm everyone was suitably jolly and posing for group selfies on the upper deck from underneath the Harbour Bridge.
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