The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will begin the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival tomorrow (Saturday) with over 100,000 racegoers expected to flock to Flemington for AAMI Victoria Derby Day.
It will be a feast for racing purists, with four Group 1 races including the classic staying test for three-year-olds, the AAMI Victoria Derby, and an all-Group card. The Group 1 Longines Mackinnon Stakes and Group 3 Lexus Stakes offer the final opportunities for a guaranteed start in the 2013 Emirates Melbourne Cup, while the Group 1 challenges of the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Myer Classic offer their own intrigue as the grand final for three-year-old sprinters and older mares respectively.
The fashion stakes are equally high with the commencement of Myer Fashions on the Field hosted by Jeff Banks and Melissa Hetherington, with guest judges Kris Smith, Laura Dundovic, Jayson Brunsdon, Arthur Galan, Captain Peter Janson and international model Tyson Beckford.
This year’s competition again boasts a coveted prize pool valued at more than $400,000, including a brand new Lexus IS 300h F Sport valued at $75,459.
The gates to the exclusive Birdcage Enclosure will play host to local and international celebrities including Naomi Campbell at Lexus, Tyson Beckford at Myer, Poppy Delevingne at Lavazza, Pia Miller and the Moulin Rouge Dancers at G.H. Mumm, and DJ Andy Murphy at Schweppes to name a few.
General admission ticket holders can receive an enhanced experience with Swedish international DJ Adrian Lux performing alongside the Nova Dome and Johnnie Walker Whisky Bar at Hill Square, pampering from the Swisse Wellness Day Spa hosted by Ricky Ponting and Liz Cambage, a VIP marquee experience at Yellowglen House, decadent cocktails at the Schweppes Flemington Fling Bar, complimentary Julius Marlow Shoe Shine Stations, gourmet fare from the My Kitchen Rules Laneway and Merrywell pop-up, and views of the Winning Post in the new James Boag’s Premium Celebration Deck Bar.
Australian pop star and Aria Award winning singer Anthony Callea will perform hit song ‘Go the Distance’ at 2.50pm before the feature race, the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby.
The official barrier draw for the $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup will be held in Flemington’s new Owners’ and Trainers’ Lounge after the last race at approximately 6.30pm, featuring special guest Michael Owen, former international soccer superstar and owner of Cup contender Brown Panther.
