Top jockey Jamie Kah dominated the headlines. It was hard to ignore her. From a broken nose, to triumph in the Victoria Derby aboard Goldrush Guru and, finally, a 10-meeting suspension for an indiscretion in one of the early races.
It’s been a busy day for our team. We’ll be back with more live coverage on Tuesday for the time-honoured Melbourne Cup.
Enjoy your night.
Not winning by a nose: Jamie Kah’s moment of drama at Flemington.Credit: The Age
yesterday
No-frills chic: Derby Day fashions
By Damien Woolnough and Melissa Singer
Predictions of a troupe of balletcore-inspired tutu-clad princesses descending on the Birdcage at Flemington for Derby Day failed to materialise, with streamlined looks sporting angular details dominating the celebrity set, led by visiting Australian model Abbey Lee at the Lexus marquee.
On the day with the most defined dress code of the carnival, black looks outnumbered white by a ratio of three to one. Lindy Klim, having just relocated to Melbourne from Bali, was wearing a lingerie-inspired Dolce & Gabbana dress that leaned heavily into trends from the European runways. But elsewhere, classic racewear reigned, with peplums, polka dots and pillbox hats aplenty.
These were some of the best looks from around the grounds.
Georgia Fowler, Melissa Leong and Kate Waterhouse join the best dressed list for Derby Day, 2024.Credit: Eddie Jim
Jamie Kah rode the emotions as well as the horses on an unforgettable day at Flemington which culminated in her winning her first Victoria Derby on South Australian horse Goldrush Guru.
She was suspended for her ride on Kuroyanagi in race two before riding Another Wil, owned by the late Colin McKenna, to victory in stirring fashion in race four.
Race five was a wipeout as her mount Hurry Curry gave Kah a blood nose when the horse threw her head back as they made their way to the barriers. With Kah ruled unfit to ride in the race, the Oaks chance was scratched at the barrier.
A race fan holds down her hat during Derby Day 2024.Credit: Eddie Jim
yesterday
Wilkinson’s Dynasty fantasy
After wearing white to the Caulfield Cup, stylist and shoe designer Lana Wilkinson swore she would wear black to Derby Day.
But it seems the opportunity to channel her inner Joan Collins (in her Dynasty era) was too big a carrot, so she changed tack.
Lana Wilkinson in the Crown marquee on Derby Day.Credit: PENNY STEPHENS
“This is the closest thing I am going to get [to Collins],” says Wilkinson, who worked with Melbourne red-carpet favourite Con Ilio on her structured midi-dress.
She was last seen at the Crown marquee, where a bevvy of her influencer pals, including Bec Judd, were spotted wearing her shoe designs.
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yesterday
Young punters loving the Derby
By Brittany Busch
The work the VRC has been putting into getting young people to the track seems to be paying off.
The Park, with its lawn bowls, live music stage and photo booths, was of particular interest to the youth later in the day, though it took some time to fill up.
Brodie, Jaz and Hunter.Credit: Brittany Busch
Friends Brodie Gower and Hunter Hawkins were hanging out there, attending Derby Day for the first time at 18 years old.
“The atmosphere, the music, sports betting, alcohol. More the social side of it, getting together,” Hawkins said of the day’s appeal.
“I liked the karaoke stuff they had going on [at the main stage], everyone singing to Taylor Swift,” Gower said.
For their friend Jaz Bevan, it was “definitely the fashion”.
Sienna and Claudia.Credit: Brittany Busch
The same went for Claudia McKenzie and Sienna Sleeth, 21, who were also at their first races and had travelled from Shepperton.
“This is like the one time we go full out, fascinators, everything,” McKenzie said.
“It’s just a good excuse to go out and day drink with the girlies.“
They didn’t know the artist Anastasia, who is playing later today and has a certain nostalgic appeal to older Gen Z, but they said it didn’t matter.
“We’ll be there,” Sleeth said.
Sleeth said she wasn’t interested in a head piece that would compete with her curls, instead opting for a statement dress.
“I thought the curls would do the talking, and the dress would do the talking,” she said.
For McKenzie, it was all about textures and being “out there”.
