Punters flock to Royal Randwick for The Big Dance as Sydney celebrates mega racing day
Sydneysiders have dusted off their fascinators, heels, and flat caps with a touch of spring floral to celebrate horse racing’s day of days at Royal Randwick.
NSW
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They say that Flemington is the place to be, but Randwick is where the party is on Tuesday, as roars from punters cheering their horses home echo around the track.
The atmosphere was electric as the horses galloped down the straight for the $3 million race just after 2.30pm.
Some leapt for joy with their tickets, while others put their heads into their hands and walked back into the bar to regather themselves as Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts came first in the 1600m race.
Keen racegoer Emma Piggins said being at the races was a much better way to spend her Tuesday than studying at university as usual.
“I am super excited, we are going to make some money,” Ms Piggins said.
Her companion Annika McCamley said the duo loved the atmosphere of The Everest Spring Carnival as it was a great day to show off their best fashion.
“The atmosphere is really good, everyone gets dressed up and it’s nice to see everyone have a great day,” Ms McCamley said.
From the time gates opened in the morning, punters trotted into Royal Randwick for Cup Day and to be in person for the illustrious Big Dance.
Sydneysiders dusted off their fascinators, heels, and flat caps with a touch of spring floral.
Although most of the punters donned regular racing attire, by far the best dressed were Reanato Rosales, Marco Vergara and Ruel Vivera from Manilla.
The fashion designers dressed in glittery suits made sure they looked extra special for The Big Dance.
Mr Rosales’ outfit took two months to make and says it’s worth every second as you need to stand out in the crowd.
“Every year we come here we make sure we dress up nicely or a little bit extravagant, Mr Rosales,” said.
“We enjoy the fashion, it’s a big event and we love it.
“It’s the day where everyone stops working to enjoy, drink, dance, and bet... and I hope it will not end”
Mr Rosales said he hopes to pick a few winners so he can make up for the money spent on the bright outfit.
“Hopefully we win to redeem the cost of our outfit.”
Of all the fashion statements, one that has certainly turned heads is from Scotsman John Cheyney.
Mr Cheyney, donning his “lucky” black utility kilt says the day is a great way to express yourself.
I love the style, and seeing all the styles...I’m just honouring the tradition today.” Mr Cheyney said.
“I haven’t seen anyone else in a quilt, I suspect I’m the only one.”
The track was buzzing, with lines for the bar building and a brass led musical trio filling the air with sweet tunes.
Among the who’s who of Sydneysiders in attendance are TV presenter, model and The Big Dance ambassador Laura Dundovic and former NRL stars Luke Ricketson and Mark Bryant.
“I couldn’t believe how packed it was,” Dundovic said, wearing a white Toni Maticevski gown.
“Racing-style in Sydney is definitely giving the rest of the world a run for its money. Fashions were on point and I will most certainly be back. It was a magnificent day. Of course I love to watch the races, but people-watching is fun too and there was a lot of that to be had.”
Of the fashion stakes, Dundovic added: “It was nice to see the return of the bigger hat as we’ve seen more headbands and bows for the past few years. A hat really just elevates a look.”
Rugby league up and comer Egan Butcher was among the sporting names enjoying the hospitality while former NRL great Wayne Pearce was spotted too, as was NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
NSW Ministers Ryan Park and John Graham were on hand, as was shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens.
Former Liberal state health minister Brad Hazzard looked to be enjoying retirement as he soaked up the atmosphere.
Elsewhere, The Daily Telegraph was bemused to see a casting agent for an upcoming dating reality show doing the rounds in the hope of finding contestants.
Among those in attendance, Bianca Agyros, 32, and Tahlia Keely, 19, were enjoying their day in the sun with work colleagues.
“We are super excited to see some horses race,” Ms Agyros said.
Unlike in Melbourne, many Sydneysiders had to get the day off work, but this duo said they have done enough work for the day.
“We are all out with our colleagues so it’s nice to be not in the office and enjoying it out here.”
“We went to work for an hour and now we are all here,” Ms Keely said.
It comes as NSW country racing has caught “Cup Fever” as Royal Randwick’s Big Dance shares the stage with the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
The nation comes to a stop to watch the famous Flemington two-miler at 3pm with punters expected to splurge more than $200 million on the Cup.
But racegoers around NSW will also be tuning into the Big Dance run at Randwick 40 minutes earlier.
To qualify for the $3 million Big Dance, horses needed to win one of 34 races, mainly country cups, held across the state in the last 12 months.
After The Big Dance was done and dusted, all eyes turned to the TV screens to watch the famous Melbourne Cup.
Once again it turned out to be the race that stops a nation as Randwick stopped to take take it all in.
Although it was on TV, the noise made it feel like the race was happening in Sydney.
A hush was heard when the race ended in a photo-finish, but once the winner was announced, a small portion who jumped on to Knight’s Choice made all the noise.
The Big Dance is the feature event race on a bumper 10-race program at Royal Randwick on Tuesday that complements the Melbourne Cup meeting at Flemington.
In fact, there are 30 race meetings around Australia on Cup Day including eight in NSW – Royal Randwick, Kembla Grange, Tamworth, Muswellbrook, Murwillumbah, Dubbo, Moruya and Wentworth.
Most of the NSW venues racing on Tuesday have provided a Big Dance starter including Gringotts, winner of the Tamworth Cup in April.
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