Punters at Sydney's Royal Randwick celebrate huge day of racing

2022-10-22

Glammed-up punters kick off their heels… and the party as they cut loose after tens of thousands packed Sydney’s Royal Randwick for Stakes Day

Punters flocked to Royal Randwick for the Moët and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day on Saturday
From princesses in pink teetering in sky-high heels to flowing seventies floral dresses and smart pant suits, it was an eye-catching day that attracted a stylish Sydney crowd
As the only ladies day of the spring calendar, the day showcased a huge range of exuberant array of fashions
On the track, champion jockey Hugh Bowman rode Sharp’N’Smart to win the day’s big race to win by a nose

Thousands of glamorous punters have headed out to celebrate a huge day of racing after cheering on their picks at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.

It was an eye-catching affair 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.

Spring Champion Stakes Day is pitched to punters as a race day like no other and attracts a stylish crowd with attendees dressed to the nines in bright dresses, sparkly headbands and statement fascinators.

Princesses in pink were among thousands of glamorous punters who cheered on their picks at a huge day of racing 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, for Moët and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day

Revellers turned up in an eclectic range of fashions fit to grace the only ladies’ day of the spring racing season in Sydney.

While the rain poured in Melbourne and Brisbane, it held off in Sydney with exuberant racegoers making the most of clear skies to spend the day having a drink and a punt with friends.

Revellers turned up to the Randwick Racecourse in the city’s eastern suburbs, in an eclectic range of fashions fit to grace Sydney’s only ladies’ day of the spring racing season.

There were princesses in pink, complete with tiaras and teetering heels.

By the end of the day the heels came off as comfort took precedence over formality with a dry road underfoot helping

The rain poured elsewhere on the east coast but punters took advantage of clear skies in Sydney on Saturday, bringing out their summery festival attire

While there weren’t many fascinators on display at Royal Randwick but the ones that did make an appearance stood out

The blokes favoured Sharp N Smart outfits – fittingly also the winner of the main Group One winner, ridden by Hugh Bowman

There were sheer, frilly and flowing floral dresses, polka dots and summery and slinky outfits including the all-time classic little black dress.

As always on race day there were even a few fascinators, eye-catching headbands and floral arrangements too.

There were pant suits, picnic dresses and fashions more suited to an outdoor rave.

By the end of the day, comfort had taken precedence for many as the festivities wrapped up and punters dispersed to post-race celebrations being held across the city.

This heavily tattooed racegoer couldn’t resist flipping the bird on her way out of Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon

Perhaps inspired by a full card of 10 races between 12.30pm and 6pm, some punters staged their own sprints at the day’s end

One woman was seen giving her friend a piggy-bank as they crossed the road in bare feet after a long day of races

There were sheer, frilly and flowing floral dresses, polka dots and summery and slinky outfits on show at the racecourse including the all-time classic LBD (little black dress)

Many women dispensed with their heels and opted for bare feet to give their toes a rest.

There was plenty of attitude too, with one heavily tattooed racegoer flipping photographers the bird as she headed away from the birdcage.

Others felt inspired enough by the day’s full card of exciting horse racing to jump on their mates’ backs and stage their own sprints as they left the racecourse in high spirits.

Spring Champion Stakes Day is pitched to punters as a race day like no other and attracts a stylish Sydney crowd

Some stylish punters managed to keep their heels on the whole day and still looked comfortable strutting by the day’s end

On the track, champion jockey Hugh Bowman rode Sharp’N’Smart to win the day’s big race to win by a nose.

The horse, trained by Graeme and Deborah Rogerson edged the $2million Group one main race, the Moët and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes, in dramatic fashion.

Anthony and Sam Freeman’s Elliptical, ridden by Blake Shinn came a very close second, ahead of Anthony Cummings’ She’s Extreme, with Glyn Schofield riding.

The race, over 2,000 metres, is considered one of the world’s best for three-year old stayers.

Race nine, the Invitation, which had a $2million price was won by Kerrin McEvoy on John O’Shea’s Promise of Success.

As the evening wore on, Australian electronic music group, Miami Horror, performed at the free and exclusive After the Last concert for racegoers.

An array of bright summer colours was on show for the full day of spring racing in Sydney at Royal Randwick

By late afternoon many women had had enough of their teetering heels and opted to go barefoot for the walk out

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