Fascinators and champagne take centre stage at Cup Day festivities

BTC Constructions Melbourne Cup day delivered the pomp and pageantry we all know and love as the ‘race that stops the nation’ took over. See all the photos here.

The heat and humidity didn’t stand in the way of Darwin punters at this year’s Melbourne Cup festivities with fascinators and champagne to be seen at every turn.

Darwin Racing chief executive Grant Delaney said the day was one of the biggest events of the year.

“We were fortunate enough to have some big strong fields today,” he said.

“A total of six on the card with some each way punting and good racing.

“All the jockeys, trainers and horses are from the Territory and it’s great to showcase local talent on the biggest day of racing in the nation.”

While it’s not the $4.4m prize awarded to the winner of the great Flemington race, Darwin entries didn’t leave empty-handed.

The winner of the BTC Construction Sprint (Race 2) took home a neat $20,000 while the other winners pocketed around $14,300 from their races.

Racing wasn’t the only thing on the agenda out at the track with many attending to support some great charities and events.

“We also had some great initiatives on track today,” Delaney said.

“The Cancer Council had their annual Pink Long Lunch – one of their big fundraisers of the year – Chris Williams Jewellers and Silk Laser Clinic Fashion on the Field event and most of the hospitality venues sold out like our lunch in the Ted Bailey Grandstand.”

RESULTS

Race 1 – BTC Constructions TROBIS Handicap

Winner: New Enterprise, J: Stan Tsaikos T: Peter Stennett

Race 2 – BTC Constructions Sprint (main)

Winner: City Regal, J: Sonja Logan T: Tayarn Halter

Race 3 – Australian Turf Club Maiden Plate

Winner: King’s Star, J: Paul Shiers T: Dick Leech

Race 4 – Book Your Christmas Party Handicap

Winner: Patriotic King, J: Jarrod Todd T: Gary Clarke

Race 5 – Chris Williams Jewellers Handicap

Winner: Mighty Murt, J: Paul Shiers T: Garry Lefoe

Race 6 – Silks Laser Clinics Handicap

Winner: American Jazz, J: Jarrod Todd T: Gary Clarke

PHOTOS FROM MELBOURNE CUP DAY

Racegoers dressed up in their best dress at the 2023 Melbourne Cup celebrations, Silks Darwin, Tuesday 7, 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Jenni Hibble and Kirsty Baine dressed up in their best race-day gear at the 2023 Melbourne Cup celebrations. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Andrew Burne and Ivone Burne. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Stephanie Berlin and Brendan Cunningham dressed up in their best race-day gear at the 2023 Melbourne Cup celebrations, Silks Darwin, Tuesday 7, 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Bob Jenner, Rob Rappa and Garry Smart enjoying a beer at the track. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Suzie Innocenzi, Patrice Steer, Melanie Walker and Louisa Kenny at The Cancer Council’s annual Pink Long Lunch fundraiser. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Jaime Yazbeck and Charmaine Orlowski. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Jack and Bronte Kelly. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Maree Mappas, Carolyn Parsell, Loretta Orlando and Sheyl Kerr. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Nola Ahnfeldt, Suzanne Bost and Kimberley Cornish. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Patrice Steer and Melanie Walker. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Alex Bracey, Robyn Kruger, Janita Souter, Jacqui Bracey and Christine Tierney. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Stephanie Berlin at the racetrack. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Lia Finocchiaro and Annette Sullivan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Mae Anderson and Becca Webber. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Irene Estrellan, Allison Harvey and Amy Hetherington. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Tricia O’Hehir and Beverley Ratahi. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Kalliopi Samarkou, Zaharoula Talias, Aphrodite Georgiadis and Maria Kypreos. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Max Graham and Michelle Batenburg enjoying the races. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Heather Malone celebrating her birthday at the races with her friends, Alanna Oppermann, Leeane Perrett, Lisa Dewsbury, Naomi Evans and Chrystalla Sackley. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Megan Karpenko. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Lisa Dewsbury at the races. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Zaharoula Talias, Aphrodite Georgiadis and Maria Kypreos. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Zaharoula Talias and Eleni Talias at the Cup Day festivities. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Linda Cherop. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Kate Seabrook. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Tanya Roberts and Andrea Ellis. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Robyn Ratahi arriving at the Darwin races. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Amanda Thompson. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Jennis Collis. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Alanna Oppermann dressed up in her best race-day gear at the 2023 Melbourne Cup celebrations. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Chrystalla Sackley and Alanna Oppermann. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Allison Harvey. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.