Racegoers showed they still had plenty more party left in them as they rocked out to former One Direction star Liam Payne at Sydney’s $13 million race day.
After the final race the English musician took to the Theatre of the Horse stage treating the crowd to his hits including Strip That Down, Bedroom Floor and more.
Payne’s star power couldn’t be denied as even a glimpse of the singer brought screams from the crowd.
Flanked by dancers in red jumpsuits the star apologised for the bad weather.
“I used to be part of a horse racing syndicate,” the star joked to the crowd.
“Just kidding – I used to be part of a boy band.”
And for the One Direction fans waiting for their familiar tunes?
Payne played three of the bands’ biggest songs including History, Little Things and Drag Me Down.
He also slipped in an Ed Sheeran cover of Shape of You.
The Everest’s blue and white dress code was ignored by most, including Payne earlier in the day.
The singer raised eyebrows when he posed for photos wearing a khaki green short-sleeve shirt, black jeans and skater shoes.
Later he opted for a white t-shirt for his performance.
The Everest was a talking point this week when the state government’s decision to project the barrier draw onto the Opera House caused a stir.
More than 40,000 people attended the day, up from 33,000 last year with the main race won by Redzel for the second year in a row.
“This is euphoria at its best. It is such an electric feeling,” jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.
Michael Ward of Triple Crown Syndications was also joyous over the win.
“To happen once was a dream but to do it again is unbelievable,” Ward said.
“I was overseas until Thursday but I heard about all the flak Peter V’landys was getting about the race. We are happy to be a part of it.”
