The jewel in the crown of the Australian Turf Club’s spring racing carnival, the $14 million TAB Everest is racing’s coolest event, with thousands flocking to Royal Randwick to party and strut and pick a winner.

Headlining the concert at The Everest on Saturday, October 19, is international superstar Kelly Rowland, who will truly get the party started after the last race.

As much as the racing, riders and horses attract global attention, fashion, food and fun are also essential elements of the carnival.

While high jump champion and model Amy Pejkovic is deep in preparation for next year’s Tokyo Olympics, she’s one of the ATC’s firm favourites.

Few people can pull off a floaty tulle ensemble poolside. But with her colt-like legs and willowy physique, it’s a cinch for Pejkovic.

Posing in the luxe surrounds of Royal Randwick’s new Pony Palms hospitality precinct in a clashing pink and blue designer combo, the 26-year-old model could easily pass for one of iconic photographer Slim Aarons’ glamorous poolside subjects.

“I think this season is all about pushing the boundaries,” says Pejkovic. “I used to be very much about black and white for racing, but at the moment I’m loving colour. I’m finding if an outfit looks odd (when laid out), it will look amazing on.”

For this week’s inaugural Everest Carnival Fashion Lunch on October 10, where Pejkovic will be a special guest, the athlete is considering pairing a baby pink dress with a pair of fiery red stiletto pumps topped off with a statement headpiece. It’s a daring, possibly divisive racewear look, but Royal Randwick’s fashionable fillies have never shied away from making a bold sartorial statement.

What to wear

Since Royal Randwick’s first race in 1833, female racegoers have readily embraced the sartorial aspect of racing culture and continue to do so.

This season is no exception, with high-impact hues, nods to the ’80s and dramatic silhouettes all firm favourites in the race for trackside style supremacy, according to ATC stylist Jess Pecoraro.

“Each season, we see racewear style evolve and become more fashion forward — and Spring 2019 promises to be no different,” she says.

“This year, I recommend incorporating colour such as bold pinks, emerald green, red and cobalt blue or pastel hues, as well as textures such as silks, chiffons, tulle and embellishments to add an extra element and dimension to your race day look.”

She also advises that the power suit is back, structured and cinched in at the waist.

Stylist and racewear expert Kash O’Hara agrees that women’s suiting is an odds-on fashion favourite for The Everest Carnival, with Rebecca Vallance, Elliot, Saba and Zara offering styles to cater for all budgets.

The track’s fashion competition, The Fashion Chute, sponsored by designer store Harrolds, is a must for style-conscious attendees.

The contest, which offers thousands of dollars in prizes, including styling sessions, champagne, accommodation packages and clothing vouchers, is an opportunity for new attendees to learn about the traditional dress regulations of racing, according to milliner Nerida Winter.

Winter, whose hats and headpieces grace the wardrobes of Sydney’s top racing identities such as Gai Waterhouse, Emma Freeman and Michelle Payne, is a regular judge of the fashion competition.

Winter’s top millinery trends for this season include arty and asymmetric styles inspired by ’70s and ’80s eclecticism, whimsical details such as ruffles, soft fabrics and layering and saturated pink, green and yellow hues.

“As it’s spring, opt for a straw headpiece rather than felt. A failsafe millinery option would be a simple straw boater or fedora.”

And for men…

ATC grooming expert Michael Brown says for blokes who don’t attend the races often, a printed pocket square and tie can give a simple business suit a raceday vibe.

“If a suit is not your style, a very big spring racing trend is the two-piece look of separate tailored trousers and a blazer. I love this look and if you aren’t in a member’s area, try adding the European trend of loafers and no socks to really embrace the spring summer vibe.

“Men can be groomed just as much as women. There’s no point looking sharp in an outfit and shabby up top. Try adding some texture to your hair with hair clay or wax to polish off the locks.”

Everest ambassador and Home and Away actor James Stewart, said men need to look further than shades of blue.

“The word to me is ‘dapper’. If your tie’s too short, your shoes are too big and your pants are too short, you’re not going to look dapper.”

Stewart is taking his spring carnival style inspiration from the red carpet looks of stars David Beckham, George Clooney and Johnny Depp.

But while Stewart admits he’s a fan of Depp’s cool bohemian style, when it comes to trackside etiquette, channelling the Hollywood actor’s Pirates of The Caribbean character Captain Jack Sparrow is a big no-no for male punters.

“You don’t want to look like you’ve had five rums. Try to keep that in mind all day, and if things get a little rowdy, have a water.”

The 43-year-old and his Home and Away co-star wife, Sarah Roberts, are official ambassadors for this year’s Carnival and, combined good looks and love of horseracing aside, the pair’s connection to The Everest has a romantic twist.

The inaugural event in 2017 was the first time Stewart plucked up the courage to ask Roberts, his co-star on the Seven Network soap — who was DJing at the race day — out for a drink. They were married in July this year.

“It’s a great time for us, because it’s kind of a faux anniversary,” he says.

While the next generation of racegoers may know more about Rowland and racewear trends than Redzel — the seven-year-old gelding which will defend its title as the only horse to win The Everest thus far — Stewart said even placing a $2 bet on the big race was a fun way to get involved in the sporting aspect of the day.

“It’s a $14 million race, and it’s bringing the world Down Under,” he says.

“It’s going to be hard to go past Redzel. I think that’s where my money’s going. But it’s not just the thrill of picking a winner; it’s all of the things you can do at the Carnival; you’re watching horses and jockeys who are at the top of their game.

“To me, it’s like going to a grand final in a navy blue suit with my beautiful wife. What’s not to love?”

Eats and entertainment

More than 45,000 punters are expected to flock to the eastern suburbs track next Saturday for the carnival’s namesake event — The Everest Day — to watch the pinnacle event in the Australian racing calendar.

“Sydney was always renowned for its Autumn Carnival and races like The Golden Slipper and Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but since the inception of The Everest two years ago — this is the third one — we’ve seen Sydney’s spring racing program grow enormously,” says Corina Black, ATC Executive General Manager of Commercial.

“The 18 to 35 audience is the biggest growth segment of Everest,” Ms Black says.

“We’re seeing a whole new era of racing fans coming along and enjoying it and wanting to come back.

“The older audiences love the racing — our members and racing purists, but our younger audiences are looking for more.

“They’re after a full day of entertainment, so experiences on course are so important and that’s a combination of things — food, wine music and fashion and the social atmosphere. And we’ve been investing heavily in that.”

NSW racing brings more than $1.8 billion to the state’s economy annually and provides more than 2700 jobs.

This year’s Carnival will serve 40,000 bottles of champagne, while 2150 chefs will prepare 700kg of Yamba prawns, 15,000 South Coast oysters, one tonne of Northern Rivers beef and 340kg of Tasmanian salmon.

In a major coup for the Everest Carnival, eastern suburbs favourite and former Paddington restaurant owner Guillame Brahimi, will preside over the culinary offering on the day at the luxurious new The Estate — comprising The Manor and The Conservatory marquees — a sumptuous new 2000 sqm racing destination for corporates and VIPs located past the winning post and right on the rails.

The French-born maestro will be serving racegoers gastronomic delights such as wagyu beef cheeks with his famous Paris mash and red wine jus, chargrilled king salmon and crispy pork belly with cucumber and herb salad and pea tortellini with goats cheese, extra virgin olive oil and mint.

The Manor has been designed with a contemporary English homestead feel, while The Conservatory is an airy, modern glass-walled venue close enough to almost touch the thoroughbreds galloping by.

Adding to the playful paradise of Pony Palms, a host of exciting new precincts including The TAB Country Club, Gordon’s Pink Gin Bar, Moet and Chandon garden, Malt Shovel Taphouse and Pimms Horse Float will all compete for punters’ taste buds and attention.             

Everest etiquette

For those planning on spending time in one of the many exclusive member’s areas, there are strict dress codes and racewear etiquette to adhere to, with Royal Randwick putting rules in place to “maintain the sense of occasion that makes a race day so special”.

Gentlemen are required to wear “tailored pants, dress shoes, a collared shirt and tie and a jacket, sports coat or blazer.”

With daylight saving now in place, jackets are optional for those within the member’s reserve but “shoes without socks” and shirts without collars are prohibited.

Those lucky enough to secure a seat in the Chairman’s Club will, however, require a jacket at all times.

Ladies are similarly expected to observe regulations in the Members’ Reserve which veto “jeans and denim, untailored pants or playsuits, garments which show midriff and have cut-outs and parkas, duffle coats or anoraks”.

For those with a general admission tickets, guests are required to be “neatly and formally dressed,” which means the fancy dress costumes need to be left at home.

Milliner Nerida Winter says there are a few important elements to remember when curating an acceptable look for the track.

“It’s a daytime event, so make sure you don’t look like you’re going to a nightclub,” she suggests. “Avoid midriffs and ultra miniskirts.”

Ray Thomas analyses the runners and riders

PIERATA and Santa Ana Lane share favouritism ahead of the final field declaration and all-important barrier draw for the $14 million The TAB Everest (1200m).

Racing NSW is set to announce the 12 starters and their starting positions on Tuesday, four days before the October 19 showdown.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have Pierata and Santa Ana Lane at the top of Everest betting at $5.

Pierata proved he is one of the main Everest contenders with his brilliant win in The Shorts over Classique Legend and Redzel at Randwick last start.

Santa Ana Lane, an outstanding winner of the TJ Smith at Randwick last autumn, resumed from a spell with an impressive, fast finishing second behind Sunlight in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington and was immediately promoted to the top line of Everest betting.

Both outstanding sprinters are among the eight confirmed starters for The Everest. The others are dual Everest winner Redzel, Sunlight, Arcadia Queen, In Her Time, Ten Sovereigns and Classique Legend.

With the exception of the promising Classique Legend, each of the Everest runners are Group 1 winners, the highest level of competition in world thoroughbred racing.

The Everest’s international presence has been enhanced with Coolmore’s Irish sprinter Ten Sovereigns in Sydney to prepare for the big race.

Ten Sovereigns has exclusive use of Canterbury racecourse as a training and stabling facility which gives the Aidan O’Brien-trained sprinter every opportunity to showcase his talents on racing’s biggest stage.