Partygoers took their chances after heavy rain swept Sydney overnight and spent a day glamorous at the races, luckily finding nothing but sunshine.
Royal Randwick Racecourse played host to the first day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival on Saturday, which to the surprise of many people took place on a heavily waterlogged track.
The Star Championships Day 1 featured large prize money for the winning horse owners and jockeys, with the highlights being the Group 1 Australian Derby and the Group 1 The Star Doncaster Mile.
The Australian Turf Club asked guests to ‘adhere to our dress code, which is designed to maintain the sense of occasion that makes race day so special’.
It added: “As a nod to tradition, dress to impress in black and white attire,” which many partygoers followed, but some went against the grain in more colorful attire.
On the field, Riff Rocket gave legendary trainer Chris Waller one of the few Group 1 races he had not won before, with a Derby double.
Racegoers were advised to ‘dress in black and white attire to impress’, and these ladies (pictured) certainly got the second half of the memo right
This man absolutely nailed the black and white look, with his glamorous companion delivering a chic look that had more than a hint of Jackie Kennedy.
Only one person in this group of five isn’t checking their phone, and she looks the happiest
The man with the pink tie seems to be telling a very funny story to his companion
In addition to black and white clothing, salmon pink was also popular at Randwick on Saturday
The colt once again proved his worth in the 2,400m Australian Derby, which is worth a whopping $2 million.
“I don’t cry as much as I used to, but this one is pretty special,” Mr. Waller said Racenet.
“He’s done a great job, he’s a great horse and he’s coming into the race at the right time.
“Great ride from James (McDonald). He didn’t panic when he got back there, it was a real run Derby and we doubted his staying power, but how dare we?’
James McDonald, riding Riff Rocket (pictured left), won the Race 9 Australian Derby at Royal Randwick Racecourse on April 6, 2024
The colt (pictured) proved his worth again in the 2,400m Australian Derby, which is worth a whopping $2 million
James McDonald and Riff Rocket are pictured being led off the course after the victory
In addition to big prizes on the track, there was also serious money to be won.
Racegoers were invited to share their style for a chance to win a share of more than $15,000 in cash and prizes.
And there was plenty of competition among the best-dressed on a sunny Sydney afternoon as everyone breathed a sigh of relief that the relentless rain that has lashed the city for the past few days had finally stopped, even if that will likely prove temporary. relief.
Everyone in this shot did their best to comply with the request to wear black and white
This woman went the extra mile and wore a black dress and white jewelry in addition to a black hat
Very high heels (pictured) were also very much in evidence on a beautiful day in Randwick
Maybe they just won big on a bet, maybe they had a winning horse, or maybe they just felt this was a good time for a passionate kiss.
Hopefully the women looking down the drain didn’t just drop a winning betting slip
A crowd is pictured arriving for the big day out at the Royal Randwick races
You’re bound to run into a few people you know at the races, and this guy definitely saw someone he wanted to talk to
The woman, second from the left, doesn’t seem too happy that her boyfriend is looking at the phone
Not everyone in the running for the best dressed prize was dressed in black and white; some wore a pink dress with style (photo)
After a while the shirts are taken off (photo) and the jackets come off
A woman in red and a woman in black and white can be seen at the Randwick races on Saturday
Back on the track, Celestial Legend and jockey Tyler Schiller had one of the great performances in the famous Randwick mile.
Celestial Legend burst out of the ruck late and overtook Pericles to win by almost a length.
“This colt is incredible, he is a superstar,” said trainer Les Bridge Racenet.
“I just love the horse.”