Melbourne Cup supports fashion label launch in Cairns

THE race that stops the nation will bring Cairns to a halt for three breathtaking minutes today. Our city leaders share how they will make the most of the Melbourne Cup.

Beck Child, owner of Lulubelle's Clothing in Collins Avenue, is running the Melbourne Cup fashion parade at Cazaly’s for the fourth year in a row. This year it features her new charity clothing line Make The Shift, which donates proceeds to women in need. PICTURE: PASCO ROGATO

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THE race that stops a nation is the second most important part of Lulubelle Clothing owner Beck Child’s schedule today.

For the past three years Ms Child has been holding charity fashion parades at Cazaly’s annual Melbourne Cup events.

But this year Ms Child is using the event to showcase her new, charity-focused clothing line.

“I just launched my new label, which is all about social enterprise, called Make The Shift,” she said.

“It’s been a two-year journey to launch this collection. When people buy a piece they can donate to a local woman through the store or the Grameen Bank to help a woman overseas.”

She said having her new collection on the runway at one of Cairns’s biggest Melbourne Cup events was a huge boost for her and for women wanting something different from their Melbourne Cup day.

“It’s just lined up perfectly,” she said.

Before and after the fashion parade punters will be placing their bets on horses at Cazalys and across the Far North.

Cairns Regional Council councillor Cathy Zeiger said a little bit of knowledge could go a long way when looking for the right horse to put a bet on.

“My history of picking winners is not good. So this year I figure instead of looking at the horse I would take a look at the jockeys.

“If you’ve got a good horse, then you need the best to get him/her over the line,” Cr Zeiger explained.

“Damian Oliver would have to be one of Australia’s most successful jockeys, with over 2630 wins in his career. So I’m going for a bit of a long shot but with a rider who knows how to get the best out of this horse, Red Cardinal.

“I’d hate to think what’s going to happen if Magic Circle wins, with his owner Dr Marwan Koukash threatening and promising to strip down to a G-string and tie … so let’s hope we don’t have to go there.”

Other councillors are taking all bets off this year after previously failing to bank a winning ticket, like Councillor Brett Olds.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever picked a winner on Melbourne Cup Day, so it’s probably good advice to everyone else to take my tips and file them in the trash,” Cr Olds said.

“I like watching the race these days with my wife and my mates.

“We sometimes get dressed up a little and go to a proper lunch function, or just head down to the pub with a group of friends, which is what we’re doing tomorrow.

“I still can’t work out how a bunch of horses running in a circle with tiny humans on their backs stops a nation, but I don’t need much of an excuse to have a good time.”

FRANK’S LEGACY

TODAY marks the 45th anniversary of Cairns jockey Frank Reys winning the Melbourne Cup in 1973 on Gala Supreme. Reys remains the only Aboriginal jockey to win the Cup. He is also famous for winning the Bendigo Cup, the Ballarat Cup and The Oaks Stakes. Reys died from cancer 11 years after winning the Melbourne Cup, and his family members still live in Cairns. The cup starts at 2pm in Queensland because of time differences due to daylight savings and will be broadcast live on television. The prize money for this
year’s race at Flemington Racecourse is a cool $7 million, with $4 million awarded to
the winner.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup supports fashion label launch in Cairns