DRIVE A2B November 2017

AAMI VICTORIA
DERBY DAY
Saturday, 4 November 2017
EMIRATES
MELBOURNE
CUP DAY
Tuesday 7 November 2017
KENNEDY
OAKS DAY
Thursday 9 November 2017
EMIRATES
STAKES DAY
Saturday 11 November 2017
Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious days of racing
in Australasia, AAMI Victoria Derby Day is known as a day of
exceptional racing, fabulous fashion and colourful entertainment.
The day features a card of nine Group races, with four at the elite
Group 1 level. The feature Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby, worth over
AU$1.5 million, is Australia’s premier staying classic for 3 year olds.
This is the last chance for horses to qualify for the Cup, so there’s a
lot at stake on the track.
Although the dress code is black and white, it’s an incredibly
colourful day. Myer’s Fashions on the Field competition begins for
both men and women.
Official flower for AAMI Victoria Derby Day is the cornflower.
As the world looks on, Australasia’s best-known raceday explodes
with colour, action, excitement and celebration. Emirates
Melbourne Cup Day is known as ‘the race that stops the nation’,
and with good reason.
For a few minutes in the afternoon more than 100,000 people at
Flemington Racecourse watch in awe as the world’s best stayers
run the world’s most famous race – the AU$6.2 million Emirates
Melbourne Cup. As the horses cross the finish line the crowd
erupts and you can hear the cheers for miles.
Run over 3,200 metres, the Emirates Melbourne Cup is widely
considered to be the best staying handicap in the world. Offering
the richest prize in Australian sport – an 18ct solid gold trophy
valued at AU$175,000. Off the field the drama doesn’t stop
either. Outrageous fashion, delicious food and drinks plus bands,
celebrities and more all RSVP to the race that stops the nation.
Official flower for Emirates Melbourne Cup Day is the yellow rose.
The main race of the day is the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks, a classic
for three-year-old fillies over 2500m, with AU$1 million in prize
money and a coveted winner’s trophy.
Off the track, there’s just as much competition, excitement and
colour. The National Winner of Myer Fashions on the Field’s
women’s competition is announced. The ultimate experience for
lovers of world-class racing, glamour and fashion, the Kennedy
Oaks Day celebrations bring out the very best of everything you
love about the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Official flower of Kennedy Oaks Day is the pink rose.
Emirates Stakes Day is the final raceday of the Melbourne Cup
Carnival — but by no means the quietest. The racing highlight
of the day is the AU$2 million Group 1 Emirates Stakes (formerly
Mackinnon) — 2000m of pure excitement at weight-for-age, sure to
attract the stars of international racing.
This is a day packed with free activities and live entertainment for
children of all ages. Highlights include the Emirates Stakes Day
Fashions on the Field, a light-hearted event for younger racegoers
and families, offering the opportunity to impress in the fashion stakes
and claim fantastic prizes.
For young, old and in-between, it’s the perfect way to finish off the
Carnival in style.
Official flower for Emirates Stakes Day is the red rose.
Melbourne Cup Carnival
DRIVE A2B magazine · November 2017 41