Were Jessica Mauboy, Hilary Swank cast aside for wearing the wrong clothes at the Spring Racing Carnival?

WERE Jessica Mauboy and Hilary Swank cast aside for wearing the ‘wrong’ clothes at the Spring Racing Carnival?

SINGER Jessica Mauboy was dumped at the last minute from singing the national anthem at Flemington because of “issues over clothing and preparation” according to a report in The Daily Telegraph.

This morning radio 2GB personality Alan Jones reiterated the claims, saying it was because Mauboy refused to wear shoes supplied by the official race sponsor Myer.

The 26-year-old (who was photographed on Instagram on her way to the track) was scheduled to sing Advance Australia Fair and she was even introduced by announcers yesterday.

But Nadia Aya took the stage, just 30 seconds before Mauboy was supposed to.

“We were very disappointed that Jessica Mauboy was on course and didn’t perform today,” Victoria Racing Club chief executive Simon Love said in a statement.

“We were grateful that Nadia Aya could perform.”

Mauboy’s representative admitted there were issues over clothing and preparation, saying the singer was “incredibly sorry”. Mauboy — who was also absent from any of the marquees within the exclusive birdcage precinct — is yet to make comment herself.

The Australian is reporting that Victoria Racing Club declined to comment on rumours surrounding Mauboy’s wardrobe.

Earlier in the week, the Tele reported that Hilary Swank had a similar wardrobe issue, stating that ”the VRC vetoed a photograph of Hilary Swank holding the Melbourne Cup as she’d been dressed in Aussie designer Christopher Esber — a label stocked in David Jones, not Myer ...”

Hilary Swank in the birdcage on Derby Day. Picture: Getty Images.

Swank had been flown in especially by Swisse. Styled by Mikey Ayoubi, Swank braved the rain in a the backless Christopher Esber pant suit, a Nerida Winter hat and Christian Louboutin heels.

When asked about the dress kefuffle, Swisse reps said “as a sponsor of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and of the VRC we appreciate and understand the position it [Myer] holds.”

Strangely, the much lesser known international guest Millie Mackintosh (from reality TV show Made In Chelsea) was snapped with the cup, in a Camilla and Marc frock ... which is also found at David Jones, not Myer.

Millie Mackintosh poses with the Melbourne Cup on Derby Day. Picture: Getty Images.

Myer has been associated with the Spring Racing Carnival for 37 years — in 2013 they inked a new five-year multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with the Victorian Racing Club, which includes sponsorship of Fashions on the Field and its VIP marquee presence on Millionaires Row in the exclusive Birdcage enclosure.

News.com.au has contacted Myer and Jessica Mauboy for comment.