Flemington Racecourse saw a day of fabulous fashion, celebs and Godolphin’s First Lexus Melbourne Cup win in what is famed as the day that stopped the nation.
A crowd of 83,471 witnessed Godolphin and Great Britain claim their first Lexus Melbourne Cup win, and jockey Kerrin McEvoy his third victory in the $7.3 million race at Flemington. They also enjoyed the performance of UK singer Sam Smith who delighted the crowds.
Four-year-old Cross Counter’s triumph hands the Godolphin racing operation its first Lexus Melbourne Cup, 20 years after its very first runner in Australia’s greatest race.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup attracts the finest Australian and international staying horses as well as thousands of people who travel to Melbourne from interstate and overseas to join Victorians in being part of the race that stops a nation,” said Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Neil Wilson.
“In addition, an estimated 750 million people tune in to the race in 163 territories around the world, making it a truly global event. In a year that the VRC celebrates the 25th anniversary of the internationalisation of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, it’s fantastic to see Godolphin and Great Britain break through for their first victory after so many attempts to claim Australia’s greatest sporting prize.”
Among the celebrities were Rachel Griffiths and jockey Michelle Payne with her brother Stevie and Australian model and entrepreneur, Lara Worthington, who attended as special guest in the Bumble Birdcage marquee.
Lara, who launched her beauty line The Base, in 2014, and has been featured on the cover of numerous magazines including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Grazia, Oyster and Cleo, wore a white ensemble and black beret.
Following Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, James McDonald and Hugh Bowman lead the Ron Hutchison Award for jockeys during Melbourne Cup Carnival with ten points each, while James Cummings leads the Bart Cummings Award for trainers on ten points.
