The gates to Flemington open at 8.30am today as Australia's premier racing destination welcomes racegoers and the who's who of entertainment, sport, business and media for AAMI Victoria Derby Day, the first raceday of the spectacular four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The nine-race card is highlighted by Australia's oldest classic race, the $2 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m). On a day dedicated to racing purists, the all black-type undercard features the stallion-making Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), the Group 1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) where Australasia's best fillies and mares will be on show over the Flemington mile and the Group 1 Kennedy Cantala also over 1600m. A final opportunity to race in the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup awaits the winner of the Group 3 Lexus Hotham Stakes (2500m).
General admission racegoers can enjoy Flemington's fashion and entertainment destination, The Park. The 10,000 square metre precinct features Myer Fashions on the Field along with a great lineup of music including ARIA chart-toppers Ball Park Music (5.10pm-6.10pm) and their melancholic pop melodies, and the cruisey surf-rock sounds of Lime Cordiale (3.50pm – 4.50pm).
Racegoers will be spoilt for choice in the culinary stakes, with an all-new selection of Melbourne's hottest foodie destinations popping up including The Bearded Jaffle from Melbourne Demon's ruckman Max Gawn and his brothers, fresh and sustainably-sourced seafood Pinchy's, Slider Diner burgers, Thai-inspired fare at Son In Law, Duke Pizza's delectable New York-style slices, swoon-worthy croissants and French pastries from Agathé Pâtisserie, Bao & Waffle's Chinese bao with funky Southern-style flavours, and Hello Jose serving up Mexican inspired bites.
Adding to the culinary experience, The Park boasts a stellar line up of refreshing beverage offerings. Make your way to the Seppelt Prosecco Bar for a Prosecco Spritz and a quick photo opp in their social media hub, or get ahead of the curve and stop by Lion's new brand activation, featuring a new style of alcoholic drink, Quincy. You can also take a step back in time and slide into a pastel-hued booth at the retro diner-themed Pony Bar, complete with 1950s-inspired cocktails. Want to take your sips to new heights? Grab a drink and climb up Jim Beam's container bar to see the Park's entertainment up on the super screen.
Whether you enjoy a premium artisan roasted coffee from the Grinders Coffee Retro Caravan aka Short Black, a refreshing ale from the Furphy Beer Garden, or a cocktail garnished to perfection from Lillet at The Park, racegoers will have no trouble finding the perfect beverage accompaniment to their snacks.
And when it comes to play, The Park is sure to be a crowd pleaser with epic activations from the VRC's official sponsors.
For the first time racegoers can experience the Myer Glam Bar offering express hair styling, a brow beauty bar and bespoke cocktails. Situated next to the iconic Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure, there's a barber for the fellas too, along with great gift giveaways and styling tips.
In the Bumble Arcade you can show your competitive side on the giant claw machine, have a shot at basketball or challenge your friends to a quick round of air hockey for your chance to win some exclusive Bumble merchandise in their game room. Not feeling competitive? Relax in Bumble's lounge area and get acquainted with those around you!
The amusement continues at the Network 10 Carousel, the custom built carousel made to create all your most Insta-worthy moments, and an elegant Lexus photo opportunity will ensure you and your friends experience amazing this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Capture every moment with a variety of photo opportunities in The Stables, four pop-ups sponsored by the VRC. Guests can bloom in the Flower Room, sweeten things up in Lollipop Dreams, find a new perspective in The Upside Down Café or play it cool in the classic Foto Automat.
The fashion stakes will be high with the commencement of Myer Fashions on the Field, co-hosted by Myer ambassador and Kris Smith and Network 10's Anna Heinrich. To take out the title and win a share of the $430,000 prize pool over the course of the Carnival, entrants will need to impress an expert panel of judges, including VRC special guest Candice Warner, VRC official stylist Elliot Garnuat, VRC ambassador Georgia Connolly, Myer Fashions on the Field ambassador Crystal Kimber, Myer ambassador Elyse Knowles, Stellar Editor-in-chief Sarrah Le Marquand, Executive Style editor Michael Harry.
This year's competition boasts a record breaking prize pool of over $430,000, including a brand new Lexus UX valued at approximately $51,345.
At 3:42pm, prior to the AAMI Victoria Derby, Network 10's Bonnie Anderson will perform the Australian National Anthem in the Mounting Yard.
The exclusive Birdcage will play host to celebrities including models Jordan Barrett and Montana Cox at Lexus, Melbourne Cup hero Michelle Payne at Tabcorp, model Rebecca Harding and media personality Andy Lee at Seppelt Wines, footballer Joel Selwood at Kennedy, cycling legend Cadel Evans at Mumm, footballer Jack Gunston at Furphy, media personality and fashion blogger Nadia Bartel at Network 10, and models Jordan and Zac Stenmark at Bumble.
The Birdcage is reimagined in 2019, with the all-new purpose built 20-metre-wide, two-storey-high installation inspired by the Grand Canyon. Guests will walk the exclusive Milan-sourced sparkly pink carpet and walk through artistically jagged silver walls with multi-coloured accents before entering the enclosure.
Pin & Win volunteers will be out in force selling Lexus Melbourne Cup pins in support of the VRC's charity partner Very Special Kids.
Located at the horse stalls will be two acknowledged retrainers from Racing Victoria's Off The Track program. Racegoers can visit the west end of the horse stalls between races 1 and 4 and speak to professional retrainers Amanda Porter and Briar Morris about the various careers options for retired racehorses.
Earlier this week, the Victoria Racing Club announced that 10% of all public ticket sales for this year's Melbourne Cup Carnival, and 5% of VRC annual membership fees will be redirected to the VRC Equine Wellbeing Fund for the care of racehorses.
The VRC's official wagering partner TAB is offering exclusive offers to punters betting with TAB on their devices at Flemington, including bonus bets, matched deposit bets and matched bets.
The official barrier draw for the $8m Lexus Melbourne Cup to be run on Tuesday at 3pm will be held in the Mounting Yard after the last race at 5.30pm for 5.45pm start. The barrier draw will be shown live on Network 10.
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw is by invitation only and media must contact Alexandra Factor at a.factor@vrc.net.au or in the Media Centre to request access.
AAMI Victoria Derby tickets will be available for purchase on arrival from 8:30am at the Hill Gate, Rose Arbour, Flemington train platform, Elms and Infield entrances. While Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets can be pre-purchased from Flinders Street, Southern Cross, North Melbourne, Essendon, South Yarra, Werribee and Richmond train stations or racegoers can jump the queues and buy online from Ticketek on their mobiles, even on raceday. Admission is free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult.
All the colour and excitement of Cup Week will be shown live and free on Network 10, the official broadcast partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
#DerbyDay @FlemingtonVRC #LoveCupWeek @AAMI (Twitter) @aami_insurance (Instagram)
