Racing fever as electric as ever at modified Darwin Cup Day

ABOUT 7500 people flocked to the Fannie Bay racecourse today for a day of high stakes, high fashion and frivolity at the Darwin Cup

Heidi West, Grace Halliwell, Bijou Daniels, Tahnee Cvirn and Hannah McCourt at the Darwin Cup. Picture: Che Chorley

IT was no ordinary Darwin Cup Day, but in the end not even a pandemic could stop the NT’s biggest racing event of the year from getting off and racing.

About 7500 people flocked to the Fannie Bay racecourse today for a day of high stakes, high fashion and plenty of frivolity – and despite the capped crowd numbers to combat any risk of coronavirus, the atmosphere was as electric as ever.

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New facilities such as the grandstand and Silks club added a touch more glamour to this year’s event, and the racing stakes were particularly high with 12 races on the program instead of the usual nine.

The Darwin Cup race was won by 2019 winner Ihtsahymn, while Enigman took out the Palmerston Sprint – the two feature races being held on the same day for the first time.

Ihtsahumn wins the Darwin Cup feature race. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Racegoer Tiffany Gameau said it was her first time attending the Darwin Cup, during a visit to Darwin from Adelaide.

“We wanted to come up (to Darwin) earlier but we were always going to the Cup,” she said.

“I’ve heard it’s a really relaxed day out, with a great atmosphere and great dressing up.”

“I’m hoping to back a winner!”

Tiffany Gameau at the Darwin Cup. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Relaxing trackside with friends, Darwin resident Roarke Bentley said he was having a “fantastic” day out.

“It’s good to see everyone dressed up and not having to social distance and just being part of the community,” he said.

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Locals Luke Baker and Amy Dudley were also among the crowd.

Ms Dudley said it was “nice to let loose”, while Mr Baker said he was looking forward to “the bets and the beers”.

Luke Baker and Amy Dudley at the Darwin Cup. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Bachelor in Paradise stars Niranga Amarasinghe and Renee Barrett also made an appearance.

Bachelor in Paradise contestants Niranga Amarasinghe and Renee Barrett at the Darwin Cup. Picture: Che Chorley

Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon said the club had worked hard to ensure the Darwin Cup Day could go ahead despite the pandemic.

“It is a bit different this year, and we’ve been putting this carnival together very quickly, on the run, for the last six weeks,” he said.

“The majority of Cup Carnivals around the country are probably not going to happen in the next two or three months, so we consider ourselves to be very lucky – the envy of the nation.”

Palmerston Sprint winner Enigman and jockey Paul Shiers. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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He said despite the changes, the event still had a similar feel to most Cup days.

“It’s always felt like a big country meeting, that’s the feel that it’s always had, and I think it’s still got that today,” he said.