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Thousands of glamorous gamblers have set out to celebrate a big day of racing after cheering for their pick at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
It was an eye-catcher on and off the track on Saturday with a full day of 10 races on ladies day for the coveted Moët and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day.
Organized as a race day like no other for punters, Spring Champion Stakes Day draws a classy crowd with participants dressed to perfection in bright dresses, sparkly headbands and eye-catching fascinators.
Pink princesses were among thousands of glamorous gamblers cheering for their choice during a huge race day in Sydney
It was an eye-catching affair on and off the track with a full day of 10 races on Ladies Day at Sydney’s Royal Randwick, ahead of Moët and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day
Revelers showed up in an eclectic array of fashions fit to grace the only women’s day of the spring racing season in Sydney.
While the rain poured down in Melbourne and Brisbane, it held up in Sydney with exuberant race-goers making the most of the clear skies to spend the day sipping a drink and punting with friends.
Revelers flocked to Randwick Racecourse in the city’s eastern suburbs, in an eclectic array of fashions fit to celebrate Sydney’s only women’s day of the spring racing season.
There were princesses in pink, complete with tiaras and shaky heels.
By the end of the day the heels came off as comfort took precedence over formality with a dry road underfoot helping
Rain poured elsewhere on the east coast, but punters took advantage of the clear skies in Sydney on Saturday and brought out their summer festival attire
While there weren’t many fascinators to be seen at Royal Randwick but the ones that did show up stood out
The dudes preferred Sharp N Smart outfits – fittingly also the main winner of Group One ridden by Hugh Bowman
There were sheer frilly and flowing floral dresses, polka dots, and summery and devious outfits, including the classic little black dress of all time.
As always on race day, there were even a few fascinators, eye-catching headbands and floral arrangements.
There were pantsuits, picnic dresses, and clothes more suited to an outdoor rave.
By the end of the day, comfort had taken precedence for many as the festivities came to a close and gamblers dispersed to the post-race celebrations being held across the city.
This heavily tattooed racer couldn’t resist turning the bird away on Saturday afternoon as she left Royal Randwick
Perhaps inspired by a full card of 10 races between 12:30pm and 6:00pm, some punters organized their own sprints at the end of the day
A woman was seen giving her boyfriend a piggy bank as they crossed the road barefoot after a long day of racing
There were sheer frilly and flowing floral dresses, polka dots and summery and slinky outfits on display at the racecourse, including the all-time classic LBD (little black dress)
Many women gave up their heels and opted for bare feet to give their toes a rest.
There was a lot of attitude too, with a heavily tattooed racegoer photographers flipping the bird as she walked away from the birdcage.
Others felt inspired enough by the day of thrilling horse racing to hop on the backs of their friends and do their own sprints as they left the racetrack in good spirits.
Organized as a race day like no other for punters, Spring Champion Stakes Day attracts a classy Sydney crowd
Some stylish punters managed to keep their heels on all day and still look comfortable at the end of the day
On the track, champion jockey Hugh Bowman rode Sharp’N’Smart to win the day’s big race to win with a nose.
The horse, trained by Graeme and Deborah Rogerson, dramatically won the $2 million Group one feature race, the Moët and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes.
Anthony and Sam Freeman’s Elliptical, ridden by Blake Shinn, came very close in second, ahead of Anthony Cummings’ She’s Extreme, with Glyn Schofield riding.
The race, over 2,000 meters, is considered one of the world’s best for three-year-old stayers.
Race nine, the Invitation, which had a $2 million prize, was won by Kerrin McEvoy on John O’Shea’s Promise of Success.
As the evening progressed, Australian electronic music group Miami Horror performed at the free and exclusive After the Last concert for race-goers.
An array of bright summer colors was on display during the full spring races in Sydney at Royal Randwick
By the end of the afternoon, many women had had enough of their shaky heels and chose to go out barefoot.