Stakes Day: Glamorous punters let loose trackside at inaugural Stakes Day
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Glamorous spectators enjoyed the spring sunshine on Stakes Day – the fourth and final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The inaugural Stakes Day, held at Flemington Racecourse, seemed to live up to the hype with thousands of well-dressed revelers going wild with their friends to close out the Cup Carnival.
Stakes Day, also known as “Family Day,” has the most casual dress code of the four days, encouraging visitors to moderate the fancy dress for more casual attire.
Thousands of glamorous spectators brought their A-game for Stakes Day – the fourth and final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival
The inaugural Stakes Day held at Flemington Racecourse lived up to the hype with thousands of well-dressed revelers breaking loose with their friends to close out the Cup Carnival
Stakes day, also called ‘Family Day’, has the most casual dress code of the four days
Punters licked in the spring sun for Stakes Day as they celebrated the end of the Cup Carnival
Participants are encouraged to reduce the fancy dress for more smart casual attire
Two racing revelers enjoyed more than just the spring sun on the fourth day of the Cup Carnival
Cool and casual is the recommended dress code for Stakes Day, with soaring summer dresses and simple yet elegant headwear, the fashion choice of choice for female racers
The crowd was in a good mood as they enjoyed drinks along the track in simple colors and floral prints
Cool and casual is the recommended dress code for Stakes Day, with floating summer dresses and simple yet elegant headwear the fashion choice of choice for female racers.
Stars and gamblers alike stood shoulder to shoulder, including jockey Michelle Payne, who rode Prince of Penzance to win the 2015 Melbourne Cup.
The crowd was in high spirits as they enjoyed themselves along the track in simple colors and floral prints.
However, two of Australia’s grassroots superstars were defeated in Flemington on Saturday, with Cox Plate winner Anamoe suffering his first defeat of his campaign and finishing fourth behind Zaaki in the $3 million Group 1 Champions Stakes.
While sprint king Nature Strip narrowly fell to outsider Roch N’Horse in the $3 million Group 1 Champions Sprint.
Michelle Payne, 37, turned heads in a royal blue custom dress at the 2022 TAB Champions Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday
Light colors were the theme of Stakes Day as race goers enjoyed the warm Melbourne day
People enjoy the Stakes Day festivities in Flemington on Saturday afternoon
The guys didn’t let the girls have all the fun on Stakes Day laughing and dancing all afternoon
Zaaki’s jockey Jamie Kah celebrated the biggest win of her career in front of her parents.
“The day made it so much more special, I have my beautiful parents here, not having to ride last year at Carnival to win a Group 1 on one of the biggest days of racing is just an incredible feeling,” Ms. Kah said after the race.
“It’s been a really tough week, I’ve had some nice rides, but nothing really hit the mark.”
Zaaki’s trainer Annabel Neesham said they would not die “surprised” and wanted to lead at all costs.
“That’s the way to ride it. I thought we wouldn’t die wondering, rolling on and just repeating last year. She (Kah) gave him an absolute peach,’ said Mrs Neasham.
“All his wins, he’s gone fast and that’s his greatest asset, his great cruising speed, I said put your foot down … she did just that and he’s just so tough.”
Two of Australia’s grassroots superstars were beaten in Flemington on Saturday, but Cox Plate winner Anamoe suffered his first defeat of his campaign, walking fourth to Zaaki in the $3 million Group 1 Champions Stakes.
Zaaki’s trainer Annabel Neesham (pictured) said they weren’t ‘wondering’ and wanted to lead at all costs
Steve Rosich, Chief Executive Officer of Victoria Racing Club (VRC), said he was delighted that the crowds returned to Flemington for the first time in three years for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“Melbourne is alive again and Cup Week has delivered fantastic racing and everything that Flemington is synonymous with in fashion, food, entertainment and first-class sport,” said Rosich.
“It was phenomenal to once again welcome audiences to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including interstate and international visitors to Melbourne, and to finish on a climax with exceptional racing under a blue sky on TAB Champions Stakes Day.”