We’re bringing you the lowdown on Sydney girl Daniella’s Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival adventure, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Hot to frock! NSW blogger Daniella & Mandy
Blow dries and manicures, headpieces and killer heels. Suits and sunnies, bright ties and floral dresses – a day at the races screams that Spring is finally here, the girls are out to flower and silly season is on its way.
The world’s greatest thoroughbreds, most respected trainers and thousands of spectators turn Victoria into the horse racing capital of the world during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival. While some are focused on horses and racing, the Carnival is a key event on the social calendar of locals and visitors alike – an excuse for glamorous dress ups, drinking champagne and enjoying a fun day with friends.
Brian McFadden charms the ladies
On a whirlwind trip to Melbourne, a girlfriend and I were invited to the Westfield Doncaster Styling Suite on the Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Day. A flock of brightly dressed fashionistas in the latest styles matched with colourful, artistic hats greet us as we entered the tent. Themed pink, red and white, the pink champagne flowed as we admired the sensational display of roses heralding the arrival of Spring.
Treated to an intimate performance by larrikin Irishman, Brian McFadden, he joked with the crowd before charming the ladies with his signature songs. The Westfield fashion show was one of many highlights of the day, providing us with a glimpse of the block colour trends dominating the Spring season. An excuse for ladies to look glam and men to look dapper, the mood was festive as bets were placed.
The Lolly Counter
Creative catering by Peter Rowland showcased the fine cuisine that Melbourne is renowned for, while our attention was captured by the lolly counter. A childhood delight of marshmallows, musk sticks and liquorice balls, we were given a carton and the opportunity to create a DIY take home pack.
One would be excused for forgetting that there were horses involved, as air kisses were exchanged and elegant outfits admired. Every so often the well-heeled crowd would turn to the screen, riveted and clasping tickets as the races ran – eliciting both cheers and composed groans as the horses claimed positions. Then, quickly back to the more sociable business of mingling, enjoying the delectable canapés and ensuring no wine glass went unfilled.
Where we stayed
Mint Rhapsody Melbourne
Our studio room at the
Mint Rhapsody hotel provided a modern, luxurious respite from the days’ momentum. Complete with a kitchenette, divinely soft beds and a sunny outlook, the staff went out of their way to be helpful as we negotiated the unfamiliar Melbourne terrain. Ideally situated between the city and St Kilda, it led us to brunch at Il Fornaio, a bakery that confirmed Melbourne’s reputation for fabulous food.
Click here for more info on the Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival (as provided by Victorian Racing Club).
-
-
Exclusive Westfield Fashion Show
-
-
Brian McFadden charms the ladies
-
-
The Lolly Counter
-
-
Hot to frock! NSW blogger Daniella & Mandy
-
-
Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival
-
-
Mint Rhapsody Melbourne
You may also enjoy:
About Daniella
I had lived in three continents by the time I turned four, which I credit with inspiring my love of travel. I live by the beach in Sydney, and get excited about discovering new things and places, learning and reading. I have backpacked around South America, sailed around Croatia, studied in the USA and island-hopped in Greece. I have had all of my belongings (including passport) stolen in Uruguay, been trapped in a border town in Vietnam for over a month, and come down with chicken pox in Thailand. My best travel tip: expect the unexpected; don’t sweat the small stuff; and keep your eyes and mind open (“the voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes” – Marcel Proust)
I would love to go to the Melbourne Cup last time I went was years ago
Want a good reason to wear a great out there fab head turning hat.
It will be great to experience the world famous Melbourne cup in person
Fun Fun Fun!!!
I would love to go to the Melbourne Cup. It is over 30 years since I have visited Melbourne and have NEVER been to the Cup. It is on my bucket list tho…. hopefully one day…..
Come for the fashion, stay and win with the horses.
The Melbourne Cup is the only event that has ever got me up and running to the shops to buy an outfit for a horse race. Have loved the past few years events but actually going to the live race would be the ultimate dream.
Like the four legged beauties that lead the day the MC gets me preened, prissied, pampered and prancing…another winner!
Great birthday present!!
the only day we all stop for a horse race and love it
woohoo melbourne cup one of the best days of the year
Pick me! Pick me! Just because I deserve it and for no other reason
I have never been to races but it would be a great excuse to get a great outfit
Being 6 months pregnant i wouldn’t be hardly missed in the crowd but styling it up in an amazing get up like the a-listers may just inspire the ladies that share my sheltered life to take their bumps and swollen ankles to the races for one last flaunt
It has always been a dream of mine to attend the Melbourne Cup one day, in Melbourne.
I have never had the chance to go to the Melbourne Cup, would just love it, even more so because I would take my Soul Mate (my Hubby), he deserved It.
It would be a great day to get a few girls together frock up and hit the track, have a drink, have a bet and a laugh or two whilst watching the race that stops the nation..
never been to the melbourne cup – would be a wonderful birthday present for my hubby and of course i’d have to accompany him
For an adrenalin fix, there is none to beat a thrilling horse race. Bring it on !
Can’t wait for the atmosphere of going to the TAB and putting in more bets than you thought.
What a GREAT excuse to BLING IT UP! A great Girly Day Out!
Ive never ever been but would LOVE to!
Giddy up baby….I’m there !
My wife and I have never made it to the Melbourne Cup in over 40 years here.
How nice it would be to tick that one off the list & also wave to my children like a lady of royalty in a big hat.
I would love to go to the races in Melbourne because I have never been to the Melbourne Cup. It would be a great experience!
Such a great Aussie tradition
It would be lovely to go to the Melbourne Cup it is the ultimate in horse racing, fun and fashion
Do you actually get to watch the races or just people watch?
We are oldies and have never been to the races together. We would have a great time as we always do in lovely Melbourne
Lets go racing!!!
This event has the WOW factor
I couldn’t think of anything more fun……I love horses and the spring carnival is my favourite time of year……….but unfortunately the only races I’ve made it to was Stony Creek.
What a fabulous competition. Would be so much fun.
Never been ,want to go badly.
Racing, fashion, food, drinks, friends, and excitement. It does not get any better.
I have never been to Melbourne at this time of the year. I imagine it will be amazing, would love to catch up with Fabio Toli and listen to a gig he is putting on, would be fun.
aussie pride all the way
I would love to win because my boyfriend wanted to take me to my first racing carnival but was made redundant last week so it doesn’t look like it can happen now
Never been to MLB let alone the race that stops the nation!
Never been to Melbourne let alone the race that stops a nation! Would be AMAZING!!
Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation! And an brilliant excuse to go all out in the fashion stakes, and have some fun wherever you maybe in Aus! Lets make it a national public holiday though, Ms Gillard…
Never been to the Melbourne cup,would be a dream come true!
It’s not all about the horses!!
How wonderful to actually have the chance to go and be part of one of the biggest days out!
Cheers to the Melbourne cup!
Melbourne Cup stops the nation have not been to one for so so long, would love the change to go again with hubby
That would be a Fabulous Prize to win…Good Luck Everyone. Have a Fabulous Spring Carnival everyone.
I would love to take my mother to the Melbourne Cup!
Wow what a chance to experience an icon Australian event
What an absolute thrill to go to “THE CUP’, I can’t wait
I grew up in Melbourne and have never been to the Melbourne Cup – it would be a great thrill and I am sure a very exciting day.
Stop horsing around – seriously want to go
I was born melbourne cup day… Be great to go…
gosh after 2 kids its been 4 years since i last went out for a girls day somewhere special, ahhhh to dream:->
We’ve got ascot and belmont park here in Perth. But i don’t imagine it would prepare me for a day at The Melbourne cup. Would love to be a part of it.
Bring on the first tuesday in November!
Never been to the races before, would love to have a husband and wife day out without the kids.
PLEASE let me be the one to win.
Looking forward to the iconic day of festivities!
What a great time in Australia – The Cup events cannot be topped.
Having been making fascinators and hats for 17 years and dressing lots of women for the races, I have never been to the Melbourne Cup and would love to go! To see all the wonderful fashion and beautiful horses and mingle with other milliners, would be a dream come true. I have a lovely friend who would also love to go. We’ll be ready and very excited if we get to go!
Like every other girl, would love to go to the races…actually I’ve never been before and have the perfect dress ready for it!
Grown people begging for favours in such a public forum is such an unattractive and demeaning activity isn’t it? By the way can I PLLLLEEEEEEEEEEZZZZ be the one who wins this fabulous competition !!!
Giddy up, I’m going to the races!
I would love to go to the Melbourne as the last time I went I was only 3 and
memories are only what my mother and father told me. But now I am older would love to be there for the big day.
Go in style to THE International event in Melbourne. Be loyal to the last industry for fun and fair play in Australia. Make it worthwhile for the horses, jockeys, trainers, staff and all of Australia and really promote Australia.
what a fabulous australian event the melbourne cup is.
i just want to see it all, from the carpark to the roses,and the
excitement of the race.
Melbourne Cup day makes me feel like happy summer days are almost with us.
Am getting married at the end of November and a VIP day at the races would be the ultimate girls day for me and best friend!
You need Carisma, Timeless style and Grace in order to be the most Elegant Filly in the Melbourne fashion race.
I’ve never been to Melbourne and have always wanted to go…love the horses..it would be fantasic to win.
my hubby was supposed to take me to the cup for my 40th in a weeks time il be 49 & i still havnt made it there what a present tho hey