:: 2009 VRC Spring Racing CarnivalBy: Carmine Pascuzzi; pictures by Brett Robson**Lavazza A Modo Mio Bar at the 2009 Melbourne Cup Carnival** Stylish, sophisticated and always in impeccable taste, Lavazza will again deliver the perfect shot of race day excitement and authentic Italian hospitality at the Lavazza A Modo Mio Bar during the 2009 Melbourne Cup Carnival. This year’s marquee – a celebration of the retro styling of Lavazza’s new A Modo Mio capsule machine – will channel a refined and welcome sassiness that’s the essence of both the machine and Italian chic to the Birdcage at Flemington. Modish chocolate timber panelling with urbane accents of red and white will set the tone for a racing carnival experience to savour. Inside, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Bar will dazzle with a custom-made glass chandelier crafted from Australia’s newly launched Plumm Glassware range and suspended over a contemporary banquet table, with its sumptuous centrepiece of Italian antipasto morsels and sweet treats created especially for the event by Melbourne’s own master chef, Guy Grossi. Guests will feast on Grossi’s Italian menu of almond-crusted scallops, goat cheese tartlets, gorgonzola pizzetta, sugared bomboloni and other delicacies to be served alongside perfect Lavazza caffe lattes, macchiatos and other espresso-laced race day pick-me-ups made to order by a team of celebrity baristas. In keeping with tradition, a signature Lavazza Calendar image will feature in the marquee decor, as a stunning wall-sized interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Vitruvian Man to cheekily illustrate the science and mechanics of coffee making created by internationally acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Lavazza will also pay homage to the Carnival’s fashion focus by inviting the pick of Australia’s leading designers to dress their Fashion Muse each day. The muse, to be seated on an eye-catching red Vespa at the marquee’s entrance, will welcome guests and usher them inside to mingle and be entertained by renowned DJ Craig Delmo and smooth crooner Paris Zachariou. Once again shaping up as the hottest ticket in the Birdcage, Lavazza has previously hosted international guests including rapper Snoop Dogg and model Rachel Hunter alongside local A-listers Theodora Richards, Vince Colosimo, Human Nature, Alannah Hill, Chris Judd and Michael and Lindy Klim. The precise guest list for Lavazza’s A Modo Mio Bar this year is still a secret but expect local and international celebrities from the fields of fashion, food, the arts, sports and entertainment in line with Lavazza’s long-standing cultural connections. Lavazza A Modo Mio Business Manager Trent Knox said, “We are excited about the new direction for our marquee this year, influenced by our newly launched Lavazza A Modo Mio Capsule Machine. Together with an exceptional menu from Guy Grossi and a guest list to be envied, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Bar will be a great experience for our guests. As is our tradition, we like to create an environment of fun and authentic Italian hospitality in which we embrace all our special guests as part of the Lavazza family.” Lavazza has become one of the most sought-after marquee invites in the Birdcage and is widely considered as “the” place to be seen since debuting at the Melbourne Cup Carnival eight years ago. ************************************************************** Celebrity chef Guy Grossi from Melbourne establishment Grossi Florentino will provide food for hundreds of guests in the Lavazza A Modo Mio Bar throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival. From the menu tasting held just prior to the Cup Carnival, it was announced that Grossi’s authentic Italian menu will feature Paste di funghi e antira (Duck and mushroom pie), Gamberi con Caponata (Marinated prawns, “caponata”, orange emulsion) and Capesante in Crosta (Half shell scallops, almond crust), among other delicacies. Lavazza celebrates its 8th year at the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a spectacularly stylish retro inspired marquee. Those lucky enough to score an invite will be joined by celebrities including Ashley Roberts of The Pussycat Dolls, and locals Lindy Klim and Alex Dimitriades, who are set to wow the crowd with their DJ sets. Pictured - Guy Grossi, Trent Knox – A Modo Mio Business Manager, Matteo Tine – Grossi Florentino Head Chef.
******************************************************************************************* ‘India’ the Theme of Emirates’ Melbourne Cup Marquee Vibrant colours, cosmopolitan culture and the rich heritage of India will fill the famed social hotspot of the Birdcage at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, with this diverse and alluring country being announced as the theme for this year’s Emirates marquee. Emirates airline flies non-stop from Dubai to 10 destinations across India, the world’s second most populous country, including Delhi in the north, Cochin in the south, Mumbai in the west and Kolkata in the east. Stephen Pearse, Vice-President, Emirates Australia, said: “It certainly does not get much more exciting for a marquee theme than India. The Emirates marquee promises to bring everything that is India to life in the very heart of Flemington Racecourse. We look forward to welcoming our guests and taking them on a lively journey through this amazing destination, all whilst enjoying the thrill and excitement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.” Emirates’ marquee has gained a reputation for offering its guests a variety of themed, mouthwatering dishes and this year will be no exception, with food an integral part of Indian culture. The use of typical Indian ingredients including turmeric, ginger, asafetida, coriander, cumin, red chilli powder and garam masala lead to the unique flavours and aromas associated with dishes such as the Indian curry, famous all over the world. Emirates’ marquee designers have travelled through exotic Indian locations including Delhi, Udaipur and Jodhpur, sourcing ornate interior design pieces that will showcase the unique Indian lifestyle and culture in the most opulent trackside setting at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Guests of Emirates can expect to delight in brilliant coloured saris, textured turbans, rustic swing seats and ancient artwork of Maharajas when they step through the striking carved entrance. Entertainment in the marquee will vary from the traditional to bhangra to the Bollywood themes made famous by the eight-time Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire Emirates is the Principal Partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the title sponsor of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and Emirates Stakes. Emirates currently flies non-stop to six continents from Dubai and in India the airline serves the cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. Marquee Features Overview: ************************************* As part of Emirates commitment to providing the highest quality service and hospitality, each guest who indulges in this exclusive service will also receive a $50 Conrad Mace blow-dry voucher and will go into the daily draw to win a $500 Conrad Mace experience. “Conrad Mace is thrilled to be working together with Emirates again this year. After a hugely successful partnership in 2008, we are looking forward to an equally exciting Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2009.” Conrad Mace’s South Yarra salon is built on a combined history of more than four decades and is renowned for its first class service with a veritable who’s who of A-list clients. ************************************* As the Principal Partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Emirates has established a proud reputation for offering guests the finest authentic and mouth watering dishes from around the world. This year will be no exception, with the spice and flavour of India sure to be the talk of the track. Emirates is also delighted to have celebrity chef Pete Evans from Pantry and Hugo’s working in conjunction with Epicure Catering to create a signature marquee dish ‘Chicken Biryani’. Pete Evans said, “I am thrilled to be working with Emirates and the talented team at Epicure Catering. Like Emirates I pride myself on providing the finest hospitality to guests at my restaurants and together with the exciting Indian theme I believe we will offer racegoers something truly outstanding.” Menu highlights: ************************************************************************ **Official Melbourne Cup Carnival iPhone application launched** The Victoria Racing Club unveiled its official 2009 Melbourne Cup Carnival iPhone application in an intimate setting at one of Melbourne’s newest and most stylish bars, Left Bank in Southbank. Hosted by Max Walker, former Australian sporting star, media commentator and co-creator of the Melbourne Cup Carnival iPhone application, guests were given a thorough explanation and a live demonstration - trialling its features and capabilities. The new iPhone application provides Melbourne Cup Carnival enthusiasts attending the races or watching from work, home or anywhere in the world, all the information they need, at the touch of the screen. Key features include a Melbourne Cup Carnival form guide with live information from official racing industry organisation RISA, news and events section, Flemington Race Course map with GPS, Cup Sweep organiser, a photo submit section, Melbourne Cup trivia questions and a selection of Fast Facts. Guests at the launch included Ricki-Lee Coulter, Brodie Harper, Heath Meldrum, Sullivan Stapleton and Christina Hallett. **Here are pictures from the launch**
************************************************************************** **Derby Day happenings** All thoughts for the Spring season have focused on Flemington for the eagerly awaited VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival. There was certainly a special feeling in the air as Victoria Derby Day approached. What occurred was lots of drinking and mingling, whilst looking for relief from the extremely hot temperatures. The fun-loving crowds on the lawn and in the Nursey areas were gaining sun tans while those in the celebrated marquee areas, such as Emirates, Myer, Lavazza, James Boag, etc were looking for relief near the high-powered fans. After checking how the early morning crowds were settling into their stride, the first stop was the Fashions On The Field competition. It is always an eager competition for the young and old to dress to impress and possibly win lots of great prizes, including a Lexus Convertible on offer this year. Hosts for the Fashions On The Field were Channel Seven's Rebecca Maddern and acclaimed British designer Jeff Banks CBE. Many ladies took part and it was very difficult for the judging panel, which included an ex-Mediasearch contributor Elle Halliwell (Daily Telegraph), Pia Miller (VRC Ambassador), Rebecca Twigley (Myer Ambassador) and Fiona Byrne (Herald-Sun). Jeff Banks provided some enlightening commentary on the fashions, often at odds with the judges. This year, Rebecca Twigley introduced her own award, on behalf of Myer, for a contemporary race look; something slightly left of centre, and this was to be evident throughout the week in her judging. The Derby Day Fashions On The Field winner was Deborah Hunter. In the Birdcage, many were enthralled by the Emirates marquee and its Indian theme. Despite the warm conditions inside, numerous celebrity guests enjoyed the decor and the service provided. The great size allowed Emirates to have an abundance of seating, betting facilities, rest rooms, and lots of food and cocktails. Amongst the Derby Day guests were Shane Warne, Simone Callahan, Michael Clarke and his fiancee Lara Bingle, Nadia Townsend, Kasia Z, Dermott Brereton, Steve Carey, Drew Bellmaine, Megan Gale, Mark McInnes, George Colombaris, Hamish and Andy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, plus a plentiful supply of Collingwood football players. Holding sway in Myer's marquee were guests including Jennifer Hawkins, Rebecca Twigley, Laura Dundovic, Max Markson, Jeff Banks, Richard Nylon, Melissa Jackson, plus special international guest Liza Minnelli. Liza made a whirlwind visit dripping in pearls. She had a sealed-off section of the room. Over in Lavazza, in its “A Modo Mio” theme, a ripping good time was had by all. The vibe was terrific as all the good food and coffee was on display and the big guest list included Vince Colosimo, Nick Giannopoulos, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens, Nathan Buckley, Nick and Daniel Russian, Brodie Harper and husband Heath Meldrum, Steve Hooker, Lauren Phillips, and the great hosts, the Valmorbida family. Guest DJ was Alex Dimitriades. It was great to catch up with Vince and Nick, fresh from their six-week film shoot in Mykonos (for the next Wogboy film due in the first half of 2010). Generally, the warm conditions took its toll on racegoers. By mid-afternoon there was some serious sunburn cases. Lots of water and champagne was consumed in plastic cups to quench one's thirst from the blistering heat. The Derby was won by Monaco Consul and Bart Cummings' magnificent streak of winners during the Spring Carnival continued when his three-year-old filly Faint Perfume easily won the Wakeful Stakes. She was immediately installed as favourite to win the Oaks on Thursday. DERBY DAY PICTURES - by Brett Robson
******************************************************************************** **Cup Day happenings and pictures** Melbourne Cup is the big day of Australian racing. The nation, and parts of the world, stops for the two-mile race. Again, it is a big social occasion at Flemington, with the fashions taking on a look slightly more zany and colourful, with many wishing to express themselves. The weather was a godsend for those who sweltered on Derby Day, and the Fashions On The Field showed some enterprising outfits. Special guests for the day were Good Charlotte's twin brothers Joel and Benji Madden. Resplendent in AG clothing, the brothers were welcome guests at the Lavazza marquee. The boys had come straight from an acoustic show in Sydney the night before and they were very friendly to the media and guests. I asked Benji about the next Good Charlotte and he said it is due in February next year and he's pretty excited about the material they've gathered. The boys have certainly kicked on since seeing them at their first visit to Australia earlier this decade, at Sydney's Bar Broadway. There was a very good standard in the Fashion On The Field as commentator Jeff Banks explained. We even saw one entrant pronounce herself as a lesbian in front of the big crowd. Rebecca Twigley's Cup Day award went to Shona Gull from Ballarat in a Rosemin skirt with Mollini shoes. It was an excellent choice. The Cup Day overall winner was Sarah Kelly who bought her outfit just six weeks earlier, and it was a Victorian Beckham-inspired ensemble from Cue. The grey skirt and matching top was perfectly fitted and had a retro look. In the Birdcage enclosure one of the special guests of the week was Zara Phillips, daughter of Mark Phillips and Princess Anne. She enjoyed the company of the Emirates hosts and guests, whose VIPs included Eddie and Carla McGuire, Jeff Browne, Rachael Finch, Lee Furlong, Rianna Ponting, Nathan Buckley and Dane Swan, amongst others. Great to have a chat to Lee Furlong, who is a terrific TV presenter on Fox Sports. Rianna Ponting is always an attractive face at events and she spoke of the long absences that her husband Ricky endures as Captain of the Australian cricket team. She highlighted the fact that there is far too much cricket these days. In the Lavazza marquee, it was a delight to catch up with beautiful Channel Seven stars Jessica McNamee and Esther Anderson. Esther really misses Melbourne and was making sure she was having a great time. Jessica has had a great year and is set for a trip to Vietnam for some charity work for the Fred Hollows Foundation. Other guests in Lavazza were Maria Venuti, Jules Lund, James Tomkins, Matt White and Archie Thompson. Myer was also extremely busy and bubbling with big names, including Jennifer Hawkins, the gorgeous Twigley sisters Rebecca and Kate. Kate looked particularly attractive in an orange and black Nicola Finetti outfit - they were the winning Melbourne Cup colours too, when Shocking stormed home to win the big race. She rued the fact that she didn't back the winner. Other Myer guests included Jeff Banks, Aurelio Costarella, Kevin Muscat, Michael & Lindy Klim, Max Markson, Laura Dundovic, Dwight Yorke, Brian Lara, Andrew McManus and Alannah Hill. The James Boag marquee was a well-designed and impressive sight. Contrary to several companies represented in the Birdcage, no sign of an economic downturn was evident with a picturesque scene - featuring a waterfall, plenty of flora and a walkway through a Tasmanian wilderness, in keeping with the company's Tasmanian home. There were even live butterflies and fern trees. The menu contained such treats as scallops, oysters and abalone, together with the great Tasmanian cheeses. Of course, James Boag marked its presence visibly with lots of its “Pure” beer brand. It all made for a great vibe in the two-storey marquee, with a terrific view of the racetrack.
************************************************************** **Oaks Day happenings and pictures** Fashion on Oaks Day is always something grand, as it's the final “fashionable” day of the VRC Spring Carnival. It was the day of the selection of the Overall Fashions On The Field winner - which lady would drive away with a LEXUS IS convertible, plus Paspaley jewellery, a MYER gift card, luggage, watch & hamper? This was the main fashion event of the day, although there was some serious public judges in the public lawn and Birdcage section as to who really looked good. Hosted by Rebecca Maddern and Jeff Banks, the Fashions On The Field contestants trod the catwalk in slightly fresher conditions than Derby Day. The tent, though full, channelled a freezing wind in off the track. The punters were packed in tightly and there was much interest with the interstate entrants here to compete for “that” car. Kerrie Stanley again won the Millinery award. She won an extensive list of prizes. The Oaks Day Racewear winner was Yasmin Salt-Armstrong from Sydney and the Rebecca Twigley award for Oaks Day went to Angela Menz from Canberra. However, in the end, the prize of the ‘National Women’s Racewear Category’ winner went to Western Australian medical student Elizabeth Pollard. She was genuinely excited to have won all the terrific prizes on offer. She wore a Nicola Finetti dress, with Tanis Tehan hat and Alannah Hill belt. There was a plentiful supply of well-known faces back in the Birdcage. Collingwood footballers were out in force in the Emirates marquee, all doing the right thing by one of their major sponsors. Other faces in Emirates were statuesque Sydney personality Sara Groen, who hopefully will come to Melbourne to live in the near future, Grant Smillie, ARIA nominee Zoe Badwi, Wayne Carey, Lance “Buddy” Franklin and Angus Kennett. Rebecca Twigley was again turning heads in the Myer marquee. Rebecca's been very busy with Myer and the Fashions On The Field and today was no exception as she looked a picture in something more breezy and relaxed - suitable for the occasion. Other Myer guests included Michael and Lindy Klim (Lindy even did a spot of DJing), Dean Cherny, Laura Dundovic, Melissa Jackson, Richard Nylon, and DJ Havana Brown who was gearing up for the support slot for the upcoming Britney Spears tour. Meanwhile, inside the Lavazza tent, her boyfriend Chris Judd enjoyed another good day out, along with Guy Grossi, Lauren Phillips (who was joined by boyfriend Gary Ablett Jr today), Emma Freedman and many others. The special guest from the United States was lovely Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts. The blonde beauty was an engaging and beautiful figure in Lavazza and she met the media and celebrities in the afternoon. I had a quick chat to Ashley and she reminisced over the great times the Pussycat Dolls had in Australia over the past twelve months, doing shows for Breast Cancer, XBox, and a national tour earlier this year. She noted that only the Kentucky Derby came close to matching this occasion, but Flemington was a more social occasion. Ashley added, “I'll be working on other singing and acting projects. The group has been on the road for six years and we're taking time out to do our own things for a while.” Pictures from Oaks Day.
******************************************************************************** **Emirates Stakes Day happenings and pictures** It was time for the final day of the VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival. Emirates Stakes has become a more popular day with families attending in good numbers amid a generally more relaxed atmosphere at Flemington. Myer CEO Bernie Brookes celebrated his 50th birthday in the Myer marquee and amongst his guests there were Rebecca Twigley, Melissa Jackson, Daniel Macpherson, Karen Webster, Rhys Ulrich, Dean Cherny and a number of AFL footballers. Over at Lavazza, guests were set for a happy, feel-good afternoon and I heard word from a Lavazza insider that Chris Judd was taking his girlfriend Rebecca Twigley to Noosa straight after the Carnival with a view to a wedding proposal. This duly occurred so it is a big congratulations to them. Amongst the guests in Lavazza were Lauren Phillips, Emma Freedman, James Tomkin and Gold Coast beauty Tamika Chesser. Even in the Emirates marquee, the family friendly vibe showed, with people drawing breath for a gentler type of fun. Of course, the keen race punters were still evident, notably our good friend Chelsea Butler who was very keen on a bet in the main race. She was one of the celebrity guests there, along with Jules Lund and pregnant wife Anna, Jason Gann, Max Markson, Paul Cherny, Jane Hages (Flamingo Sands swimwear label), Lillian Frank, Christina Delaney, Brett & Charlie Goldsmith, and an abundance of Collingwood footballers. One of the notable fashion statements was a “Blackbird Dress” worn by Alex Davis, girlfriend of Collingwood footballer Scott Pendlebury. It was a dress inspired by Melbourne’s streets and culture ajnd collaborated by three Melbourne designers. It took a month's work. We have a picture below. Overall, it was a terrific VRC Spring Carnival and already planning is underway for the big 150th Cup Carnival celebrations in 2010. It will feature more prizemoney, an unprecedented marketing campaign to lure international visitors and a new Melbourne Cup trophy. Pictures from Emirates Stakes Day
MORE TO COME SOON - Fashions On The Field |
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