Executives and the mainstays of politics jockey for position in the Melbourne Cup tents
They say that as one door closes another one opens.
It seems that way for ex-Crown Resorts boss Steve McCann, who left the on-probation casino empire at the start of last month.
McCann spent Tuesday – his first day as a director of shopping centre group Scentre – enjoying all that his old shop had to offer at the Melbourne Cup.
Along with his new directorship, McCann was also sporting a new companion after recently separating from his Sydney-based wife.
Along with his passion for horses, McCann’s gardening leave from the now Blackstone-controlled Crown looks to have much to keep him busy.
No luck on the track for the big race either. Realm of Flowers – a runner tracing its roots back to Vinery, the NSW stud owned by McCann and a number of other businessmen including David Paradice, Gerry Harvey and Neil Werrett – came in fifth.
On the other side of the Crown marquee, perfectly positioned opposite the winning post, Crown’s new boss Ciaran Carruthers was taking up a booth with his wife Tess and his parents, who are over from Dublin.
Some clever apparatchik had even made sure there was Guinness behind the bar for plenty of team building with his new Crown Melbourne boss Mike Volkert and new Sydney chief executive Mark McWhinnie.
In the mounting yard, billionaire caravan king and former cup winner Gerry Ryan was spied along with his syndicate partner Nick Williams, son of millionaire property developer Lloyd Williams.
Outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, who we hear had backed the entire Cup field, was deep in conversation with Flutter Entertainment global chief Peter Jackson. The footy boss will be in need of a new gig soon, so was that his mobile number he gave to Jackson in hope of a fresh role? Or a board seat perhaps?
Also embracing the proximity to the horse flesh was News Corp Australia exec Peter Blunden and sports administrator John Ribot.
Spotted in the parallel universe of the Birdcage and the confines of the TAB marquee: Trade Minister Don Farrell, Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor and Victorian senator Raff Ciccone.
Meantime, the conservatives continued to embrace Flemington as if still in government, with Victorian senators Bridget McKenzie, Sarah Henderson and Michael McCormack all in the house, the latter with his wife Catherine. Nationals leader David Littleproud was there too, along with a few former colleagues including ousted Goldstein MP Tim Wilson and husband Ryan Bolger, and former prime minister Scott Morrison’s ex-private secretary Yaron Finkelstein. He was aboard ahead of next week starting his new part-time gig as “special counsel” to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
Tabcorp chair Bruce Akhurst, accompanied by wife Jane, was relaxed back at the wagering group’s base after having to brave the rain to present a winner’s trophy earlier in the day, while his chief executive Adam Rytenskild was still optimistic the gambling group could land the up-for-grabs licence to run wagering in Western Australia.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan and his government, we hear, have given themselves a little more time to ponder their decision. Tabcorp was not the highest bidder, but appears to be the last one remaining in the race.
Tabcorp directors were there en masse. Sports administrator David Gallop was back after also being in the house on Saturday, along with former ABC chair Justin Milne and relative Tabcorp boardroom newcomers Raelene Murphy and Janette Kendall.
The former Crown marketing exec was a standout in The Vampire’s Wife (the label of Susie Cave, the wife of musician Nick) gold dress, which one observer likened to the Melbourne Cup itself.
NSW Liberal powerbroker Michael Photios, accompanied to Flemington by daughter Claudia, was showing his stamina, having been trackside on Saturday and seemingly out and about ever since. On Monday night he sat at Victorian Liberal powerbroker Michael Kroger’s table at the black tie calcutta function at the Melbourne Club.
Others seen enjoying Tabcorp’s hospitality were Adairs company director Brett Chenoweth and former Labor pollie Michael Lee.
Up at Lexus, which in previous years has hosted the likes of the Rineharts and Foxes, it was more a case of starlets and car dealers. Margin Call did spy Ai Group chief Innes Willox and partner Jane Deveraux, along with millionaire businesswoman Naomi Simson.
In the rarefied air on the top deck at Penfolds, where St Henri was the house pour, Treasury Wine director Garry Hounsell was holding court, while BHP chair Ken MacKenzie was keeping a low profile before making a beeline for the exit shortly after the main race. Former South Australian premier Steven Marshall was happy to stay.
Promenading between showers from the confines of Kennedy was Vicland boss Bill McNee, who is redeveloping the face of the Toorak strip, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra and couple Annie Peacock from Crown and Pies president Jeff Browne.
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