Cairns venues prepare for Melbourne Cup events
The Champagne is chilling and punters are poring over the form guide in preparation for the Melbourne Cup. Here’s the essential guide on how to be a part of the race that stops a nation.
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HORSE racing fans, and those just looking to have some fun with their annual punt, will have all eyes glued to TV screens in homes, pubs and venues across the Far North for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
Venues are prepping champagne, canapes and sweeps competitions before lighting up the big screens ready for the 3pm race.
While fashionistas are putting their finishing touches to grand outfits for events here, the Far North will be well represented in the Fashions on the Field competition at Flemington.
Mareeba-based designer, milliner and owner of Sonlia Fashions, Liana Hastie will be presenting her work in three categories of Myers Fashion on the Field.
Liana has arrived in Melbourne for the week’s events and her designs have reached the top 10 in multiple categories.
A dramatic fascinator will appear in the millinery competition to be presented on Cup Day.
“I am very honoured to be able to present my work over the few days of racing. I have entered before but usually I am here to enjoy the events with my clients,” Ms Hastie said.
Her design was inspired by her family.
“I found these old scarfs of my grandmother that my mother had lying around. She came over from Italy and the Italian designs on the scarf were really the inspiration behind the piece.”
The shapes and the structure were inspired by the architecture of Venice and the buildings of Rome like the Colosseum, churches and cathedrals.” Ms Hastie said.
The Nu Nu Melbourne Cup
Almost as famous as the big race itself, the beach races at Palm Cove is the Melbourne Cup tropical style and a sold-out function at Nu Nu’s will raise funds for the FNQ Hospital Foundation. The day starts at 11am, with horse parade and calcutta auction at noon. Racing starts at 1pm. Head down to Williams Esplanade to catch the action and soak up the atmosphere.
Shangri-la The Marina
Partnering with FNQ Cerebral Palsy Support Group, The Shangri-la is offering welcome drinks on arrival, a luxurious buffet featuring a seafood charcuterie bar. For those looking for a bet there will be sweeps, calcutta, and raffles as well as prize giveaways.
$165pp
The Backyard Cairns
Backed by its live entertainment, The backyard will be serving roaming canapes and a welcome cocktail as well as gourmet goodies from its charcuterie kings table. Sweeps and raffles, and prize giveaways are also on offer.
$99pp
Reef Hotel Casino
Hosted by Dave & Inkie from Star 102.7FM, and this year supporting the COUCH Charity! Reef Hotel Casino will offer bubbles on arrival and lunch with seafood stations. More fun will be on offer with music after the race in Bar36, best dressed prizes as well as the usual sweeps, raffle and TAB.
$199pp
Cairns Jockey Club
In the Reef Lounge at the Cannon Park Race Course will be a four-hour house beer, wine and champagne package with a three-course alternate drop lunch. Live music will also keep the fun going as punters wait for the big race.
$160pp/$150pp for members
Ochre Restaurant
Ochre Restaurant is teaming up with COUCH to bring you a fun-filled Melbourne Cup luncheon with a welcome drink, alternate drop main and shared dessert plates.
$99pp
The Benson Hotel
The Benson Hotel is offering a trip to the Dubai Cup as part of its celebrations which will include a four-hour beverage package, three-course lunch, live music, fashions prizes along with sweeps and calcutta for punters.
$155pp
Pullman Cairns International
Spring racing meets sophistication, set in the Grand Ballroom with Cairns’ largest LED screen. Prepare to party the day away with friends and colleagues. The Pullman is offering seafood, antipasto and dessert stations, lucky door prizes, fashions, and a pop-up cocktail bar.
$180pp
Little Sister
Little Sister will be offering its six-course Regular Feed Me Menu a four-hour drinks package, and sweeps for the Cup.
$120pp
C’est Bon
C’est Bon is hosting a four-course luncheon and will have prizes for the best-dressed couple on the day along with sweeps and business card draw.
$92pp
Crystalbrook Flynn
Boardwalk social will be bringing canapes and snacks to punters at Crystalbrook Flynn with 10 pop-up bars to ensure you never get thirsty. Entertainment by sunset ranga and DJ Markus mark will be keeping feet dancing.
$129pp
Crystalbrook Riley
As above Crystalbrook Riley will also be pulling out all the stops with 12 pop-up bars, drinks package and live music and DJs from Kaweyova and DJ Andy. Better yet will be the Crystalbrook Riley slipper bar (for when your stilettos need a rest.)
$149pp
Spirit of Cairns Cruise
Celebrate Cup Day on-board a cruise catamaran. a 2.5-hour calm water cruise with a complimentary drink on boarding, and canape-style lunch served throughout the cruise. There will be a prize for best hat, Cup sweep, door raffle prize and other race day fun.
$99pp
Cairns RSL Club
Cairns RSL will have best-dressed prizes and MC host to go with its full menu and meal and drink specials.
No ticket cost just require table booking
Ollie’s Italian
Supporting the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, Ollie’s will be providing a four-course sharing banquet along with its drinks package. Live entertainment will stretch on past the race till 4pm calcutta, sweeps and raffles all on offer.
$155pp
Palooka
Palooka will present punters with a cocktail on arrival and canapes and pre-drinks at the Fox Small Bar before lunch and the race at Palooka. A shuttle to an after race Soiree at Guerillá will also be available.
$185pp
Trinity Beach Tavern
Offering a two-course luncheon, with an option for beverage package Trinity Beach Tavern will also offer Fashions on the Field and traditional sweepstakes.
$60pp (luncheon) or $110 PP (luncheon and beverage package)
Dunwoody’s Hotel
Dunwoody’s will have a three-course lunch and beverage package to go with fashions on the field, sweeps, lucky door prizes and TAB help desk.
Lunch $70pp or lunch and beverage package $100pp
Cazalys
Cazalys is partnering with COUCH to raise funds during this year’s event. Entertainment will be hosted by Bec Dent. Food will be a Tuscany-style buffet with oysters, prawns, dishes full of savoury flavours and sweets. Live entertainment from Fingerprint will be supplemented with Fashions on the Field, photo booth, prizes and sweeps.
$99pp
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Originally published as Cairns venues prepare for Melbourne Cup events
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