The 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival concluded with Seppelt Wines Stakes Day, providing family filled fun in a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of free activities to keep the youngsters out of mischief.
Despite the cold weather racegoers of all ages indulged at the Flemington track. The Park was popular providing fashion, fine food, beverages and entertainment, with Myer Fashions on the Field also hosting a competition for children to showcase their finest race day looks.
The Carpinteri family – father Michael and mother Rhianna with children Elena, 8, Leila, 7, and Nate, 14 months – from Thorpdale in Gippsland, Victoria took out the family category in coordinated red, pink and white outfits at Seppelt Wines Stakes Day Myer Fashions on the Field. It was also a family affair in the boys’ categories, with Gilbert Hutchins, 6, and brother Henry Hutchins, 13, from Langwarrin South winning the junior and senior competitions respectively. The junior girl title went to Charlotte Suttor, 6, from Keilor East while senior honours went to Charlie Borracci, 17, from Geelong.
The exclusive Birdcage precinct again hosted an array of celebrities who also enjoyed the opportunity to bring along their partners and children.
Throughout the Carnival, 487 horses competed in 37 races, representing an average field size of 13.2 runners. The four race cards, offering more than $27 million in prize money, saw 26 individual trainers and 19 jockeys enjoy victory.
The JB Cummings Excellence Award went to Flemington trainer Chris Waller for his outstanding Melbourne Cup Carnival achievements, and the Ron Hutchinson Excellence Award was won by jockey Craig Williams, with each receiving $50,000.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Neil Wilson said it had been a spectacular week of racing.
“The track raced safely and evenly all week and we saw impressive fields throughout. Special acknowledgement must go to Flemington trainers who accounted for 17 of the winners across the Carnival, including five of the eight Group 1 races,” Mr Wilson said.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival has again produced the four-best attended race days across the nation with world-class racing, fashion, dining and entertainment enjoyed by more than 276,000 people at Flemington Racecourse this week.
Written by Melinda Sullivan
Photography by Karon photography, Sam Tabone and Toby Sullivan
