Melbourne Cup Carnival 2019
The 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival came to a close on Saturday and what a week it was in Melbourne!
Over the four racedays more than 276,000 people came to Flemington Racecourse, making it once again the four best-attended racedays in Australia.
The Birdcage again played host to international and local celebrities including Lady Kitty Spencer and Rachel Griffiths at Lexus; renowned director Paul Feig at Kennedy; Lindsay Lohan at Network 10; Usain Bolt at Mumm; Rebecca Harding at Seppelt Wines and Nicole Trunfio at the VRC's 1 Oliver St.
We were thrilled to attend Lexus Melbourne Cup Day and witness Danny O'Brien & Craig Williams win the Cup with Vow & Declare from the VRC's fabulous new Club Stand. We returned on Seppelt Stakes Day for a fun day in the Birdcage.
Scroll below to see our pics from this fabulous Carnival!
The sun came out on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day and we were thrilled to watch a couple of races from the VRC's impressive new Club Stand. The rooftop terrace on level four was the place to be, with hundreds of VRC Members soaking up the fun atmosphere and fabulous views over the track.
I loved running into my Mum and Dad (above) in the Members on Cup Day!
All hearts led to the Birdcage! There was the sweetest entrance to the Birdcage this year with pink hearts leading to a pink carpet.
The VRC's Bird Bath Bar featured a 13-metre high Bar decked out with wings and there was even Rocket Man-inspired performances at the fabulous blue piano.
Pictured above were some of the cocktails on offer at the Schweppes Marquee in the Birdcage.
The ELLE Garden was a gorgeous place to rest and rehydrate - this stunning space was open to all guests in the Birdcage and it was a peaceful sanctuary in the busy enclosure.
There was pretty styling everywhere you looked in the Birdcage - pictured above was one of the beautiful spaces to sit and relax, just opposite the G.H Mumm Marquee (below).
The VRC’s 1 Oliver St marquee was pumping throughout the Carnival – with the help of Lady Helena’s butler 'Alfred' and housekeeper 'Audrey' – guests were welcomed into the fictitious character’s mansion.
Grinders Coffee Roasters also had an installation in the Birdcage. For a donation to charity, guests could pick up a complimentary Grinders Coffee.
LANDMARK by Lexus was without a doubt the place to be in the Birdcage throughout the Carnival. This luxury three-story facility included a 90-seat restaurant by Oakridge on the top floor, floral installations by Joost Bakker, hot coals on the deck & a Sake Bar from the team at Eazy Peazy and the Champagne was flowing.
Pictured above is my husband Peter and I with my brother-in-law Symon on Stakes Day at Lexus. We could not have enjoyed our day more! The Lexus hospitality is legendary!
I loved catching up with the gorgeous Jess Demsey and her lovely friend Natalia at Lexus. Jess is an Ambassador for Very Special Kids and the VRC's Pin & Win was in support of Very Special Kids this year. All proceeds will support an upgrade of Very Special Kids’ children’s hospice at Malvern where it cares for children with life-threatening conditions and provides much-needed family support services. www.vsk.org.au
Pictured above is Sammy who was one of the incredible entertainers in LANDMARK By Lexus. He was amazing and got everyone on the dance floor!
A LEXUS convertible took pride of place in the entrance to the Marquee.
The team from Mecca were once again on hand at Lexus this year with a glam bar on the ground floor. The gents weren't forgotten either as there was also a shoe-shining service! They literally thought of everything!
It could not have been a more incredible couple of days at Flemington and thank you to the Victoria Racing Club and Lexus Australia for their hospitality throughout the Carnival and congratulations on a sensational 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival. xx
