Thousands of racegoers, dressed predominantly in black and white, flocked to Melbourne’s iconic racetrack on Saturday.
The glamorous crowd embraced the occasion, with many revellers continuing the celebrations long after the final race.
Punters enjoyed a full day of high-class racing alongside one of Australia’s biggest social events, with an exciting card providing plenty of action on the track.
Some guests looked worse for wear by the close of proceedings, but they had been treated to a stellar program featuring multiple Group 1 contests.
James McDonald and Chris Waller further cemented their reputation as Australia’s leading jockey-and-trainer partnership by combining for another two Group 1 victories.
McDonald guided Stormy Marco to success in the $3 million feature before teaming with Lady Shenandoah to claim the Empire Rose Stakes.
The in-form pair came close to completing a clean sweep of the three Group 1 races on the card, with St Gotthard narrowly beaten by The Next Episode in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
The Derby was marred by a fall when Pondalowie came down in the straight, sending jockey Harry Coffey onto the track.
Black and white set the tone, with most racegoers embracing the day’s theme
Racegoers were treated to an action-packed program
Guests relaxed and celebrated at Melbourne’s opening Spring Racing Carnival meeting
Many guests made an effort with coordinated, eye-catching outfits
Conditions became slightly unsettled as the afternoon progressed
Coffey was quickly back on his feet as veterinarians checked his horse.
Stormy Marco pulled away from runner-up Cold Shower, while filly Quick Finish finished third to deliver Waller a fourth Derby victory and McDonald a second.
The pair previously combined to win Australia’s oldest classic with Riff Rocket in 2023.
Waller also secured a fourth Empire Rose Stakes victory, three of them with McDonald, as favourite Lady Shenandoah defeated Concord Connie and Idle Flyer.
‘These races are so special to owners, punters and us,’ Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said.
‘I know we all talk about the money, and the money is fantastic in these big-prize-money races, but they are simply different.’
The Next Episode, bought for $2.8 million as a yearling, is now estimated to be worth roughly 10 times that figure as a breeding prospect after edging St Gotthard in the stallion-making Coolmore Stud Stakes.
The Snitzel colt, trained by Ciaron Maher, has now recorded five wins from seven starts.
Racegoers dressed up for an afternoon at the track
Many guests enjoyed a glass of wine during the day’s festivities
Punters cheered on the horses they backed and supported
By the finish, plenty of racegoers were feeling the strain in their feet
‘When you’ve got a colt with a record like his, these are the stallion-making races and you’ve got to perform on the big day,’ Maher said.
‘You want the pressure. That’s what we get up in the morning for. He’s a ripper and he’s only going to improve as he gets older.’
Mark Zahra bounced back from his heavy Caulfield Cup fall on Half Yours to partner The Next Episode to a brilliant victory.
It was Zahra’s third Coolmore Stud Stakes triumph and his second in consecutive years, after he won aboard Tentyris last season.
‘They’re very similar horses. He’s a real dude now, this horse,’ Zahra said.
‘He’s so relaxed, but when you ask him, he just goes bang. It’s great to have ridden two magnificent colts in two years.’
For many friends, dressing up is an essential part of a day at the races
Some guests found a patch of grass to rest and recover
Crowds soaked up everything the race day had to offer
Zahra spent a week away from riding on medical advice after his Caulfield Cup fall and missed Cox Plate day, but he was determined to return for another shot at glory at Flemington.
‘Any other time of year I’d probably be holidaying in Byron or Ibiza, but at this time of year you just can’t do it,’ Zahra said.
‘I just had to suck it up. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but this is the time of year I live for and ride for.’
‘The doctors have been a great help and, with a few Nurofen today, we’re bang on song.’
Flemington trainer Nick Ryan had two horses scratched from Saturday’s meeting after Racing Victoria stewards charged him over the alleged possession of a prohibited substance.
The charge followed a stable inspection by RV’s Compliance Assurance Team on Saturday morning, which led to the enforced withdrawals of Anglaise from the Wakeful Stakes and Doubt Time from the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
‘Mr Ryan was found to have in his possession, in the glove box of his motor vehicle, two syringes of Darbepoetin Alfa, which is a prohibited substance under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing,’ RV stewards reported.
Ryan, a former champion jockey, did not enter a plea. The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
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