Melbourne Cup: Bubbles and bigwigs back at the Birdcage

After a two-year hiatus, this year’s ­offering is shaping up to be one of the most hedonistic Flemington has seen.

An artist’s impression of the Lexus marquee in The Birdcage.

If you scored yourself a highly coveted ticket to this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival Birdcage, lucky you, because this year’s ­offering is shaping up to be one of the most hedonistic Flemington has ever seen.

After a two-year hiatus, celebrities, socialites, models and racing royalty will be thick on the ground now that maskless air kissing and shoulder-rubbing are once again allowed on the track.

Nicole Trunfio, Jess and Ashley Hart and Christian Wilkins are among the names confirmed to be attending throughout the week.

G.H. Mumm, Tabcorp and Lexus are a few of the brands that have been busy bumping in ahead of Saturday’s Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, which marks the ­official start of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

On Thursday, the brands will share a visual sneak peek of what guests can expect within their marquees ahead of the annual ­carnival.

We’ve got the lowdown on the marquee themes, who’s going where, and what they’ll be eating.

G.H. Mumm

The official champagne sponsor of the event is transforming its two-storey marquee into an opulent French garden, complete with its own ornate fountain feature. Benjamin Avery, aka the Colourblind Florist, has been recruited to deck out the venue in his contemporary floral art, while chef Joel Bickford and Chef de Caves Laurent Fresnet will serve up a French-inspired feast to a crowd which will include model Duckie Thot and designer ­Michael Lo Sordo.

Lexus

Designed by architect Koichi Takada and interior designer Fiona Lynch, the luxury car brand’s three-storey marquee includes an 80-cover restaurant from the duo behind Melbourne eatery, Etta. Expect to see the likes of Kate Waterhouse, Melissa Leong, Emma Freedman and Anthony Minichiello enjoying the luxury space.

Penfolds

The wine brand is planning to take guests on a space odyssey with its Venture Beyond theme. Daniel MacPherson, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Rachel Griffiths and Joel Selwood are some of the notable attendees this year in the marquee, which includes four separate areas that have been inspired by a lunar eclipse. Oh, and there will be a 2018 Grange tasting on Derby Day.

TAB and Furphy

You can expect pollies, sports stars and hardcore punters to spend much of their time in the TAB marquee, which will have a tech focus this year to mark the launch of its new app, while guests at Furphy, the Carnival’s official beer supplier, will chase down pies and burgers with a few cold ones.