Trainer Ciaron Maher wins The Everest with Bella Nipotina and Caulfield Cup with Duke De Sessa

That’s all we have for you this evening after a bumper day of racing in Sydney and Melbourne.

Ciaron Maher has had a huge day training the winners of both races while Harry Coffey’s rise from Swan Hill battler to Caulfield Cup winning jockey is a wonderful story.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to the blog today and all those who paid us a visit.

Please have a wonderful evening and keep an eye out for more spring racing coverage in the days to come.

Bye for now.

Craig Williams after riding Bella Nipotina to victory in The Everest.Credit: Getty Images

Harry Coffey poses with connections after riding Duke De Sessa.Credit: Getty Images

In terms of overarching fashion themes today, white has definitely been a contender for the most popular colour, even outpacing on-trend lemon or butter yellow.

So when one of the main dishes in Bar Bambi is pasta a la vodka, let’s hope there’s no mishaps among the wait staff.

But I’m told there’s a drum of Napisan out back, just in case

Remind me next year to put a stain removal pen in my emergency kit.

Other key trends include lace pants and bows - as predicted hats are few and far between.

But Caulfield is always known as the “relaxed track”, so it’s hardly a surprise.

Pasta a la vodka is among the eats at Bar Bambi at Caulfield.Credit: Melissa Singer

British DJ Joel Corry was the only man able to make it inside the exclusive Directors Room at Royal Randwick Racecourse without a tie.

“Well in the summer I live in Ibizia and it’s a lot of twin sets but I have pulled it back a little bit today,” Corry says.

British DJ Joel Corry.Credit: ATC

Corry made it past the security guards in a black shirt and trouser combination from Perth label Joseph Carl that remixes the Prada minimalist aesthetic, accessorised with a chunky necklace worthy of Paul Mescal.

“Well I am performing after the last race so I have to be ready to get out those decks and smash it.”

Effie Kats knows she is breaking multiple racewear and daywear rules with her look, but, if a fashion designer can’t push the boundaries, who can?

“I’m wearing velvet in the daytime, which is a no-no, so is satin,” she says. “Plus a felt hat, but I thought I’d push the boundaries a little this year.”

Kats, who recently celebrated her summer collection with a swanky dinner for 70 at Grossi Florentino, is a savvy online shopper, hunting down her Nina Ricci hat on a lesser-known French fashion website, 24S.

“It was the last one left, I could not believe it.”

The hitch? It’s a bit small, but in this wind, the head-hugging size is probably doing her a favour.

Rule breaker … Effie Kats.Credit: Justin McManus

Jockey Harry Coffey looks utterly joyful after receiving his award for riding the Caulfield Cup winner today.

Harry Coffey poses with the trophy after riding Duke De Sessa to the Caulfield CupCredit: Getty Images

Harry Coffey rides Duke De Sessa to victory and celebrates after passing the post.Credit: Getty Images

6. Willaidow was brilliant winning over 1400m at Rosehill last start. James McDonald had the six-year-old rolling along out in front in a lovely rhythm, and he was able to quicken off that lead speed.

His last 200m was the quickest in the race, hence the increasing margin on the line. He relished getting out beyond 1200m for the first time this campaign. It was the win of a horse better than benchmark company. He carries an extra 3kg in the same grade, but a repeat performance will see him win this, too. Where he has drawn he shouldn’t have too much trouble crossing to lead. There will likely be pressure coming across from wider draws, but if they attempt to cross it’d be to their own detriment. The early price looks fair.

3. Ruby Flyer has seven lengths to turn around on Willaidow, so he will need a few things to fall into place, but liked the way he closed off late. Can settle closer on Saturday. The form through the race has already been franked a number of times since. 4. Estadio Mestalla caught the eye late in a slowly run race behind Ostraka first up. He was horribly suited given the shape and it being 1200m. This is a better set-up out to 1400m.

How to play it: Willaidow to win.

Horses still have to race but for many guests it’s time to descend from the heights of The Everest and ditch their shoes.

The barefoot toll is already high in the taxi queue but is expected to rise by nightfall.

Women ditch their shoes as The Everest race day starts to slow down.Credit: Damien Woolnough

Here is a look back at our story on Harry Coffey from November 2023.

Jockey Harry Coffey resented being known as “the sick kid who rides”.

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease impacting one in 2500 births in Australia that clogs up the lungs and makes sufferers more susceptible to illness) at just six weeks old, Coffey has had to defy the odds his entire career just to prove he is capable of riding at the elite level.

Jockey Harry Coffey has three rides on Champions Day at Flemington.Credit: Getty Images

Click here to read the story.