March 3, 2020
We’re the first to admit a day at the track can be a costly exercise when factoring in the deadly combination of the wedding-grade dress code and all-day drinking, bets and lunch. Jump on these cost savers with your crew and you might just wake up on Sunday with enough left in your bank account for a hangover cure brunch.
1. Buy your tickets early
It may be a platitude but it’s true: The early bird catches the worm. Discounts are given to those who pre-purchase tickets online prior to the raceday. It’s always worth checking online ahead to see if there’s a promotion going down you can rinse. To purchase tickets online, click here.
2. Go Fascinator (or tie) free
It’s a well-loved tradition to get well and truly decked out for the races, but if we’re being real there’s no rule that says you must wear a fascinator, hat or tie. For girls, hats and fascinators can be extortionate, especially considering you might only wear them a few times during the entire year. Do yourself a favour and get a friend to braid your hair for an expense-free work of art on your head. For guys, ties aren’t a requirement (unless you’re attending the Members’ Reserve), so you can save yourself some effort there as long as you’re well-dressed and well-groomed and adhere to the club rules. As always, it’s worth checking your local club’s policy to make sure you don’t slip up on anything here.
3. If you have to buy a new dress or suit, make it an investment
Spending more money to save money may sound like reverse logic, but it’s a far better call than throwing cash down the drain on something you’ll never set foot out the door in ever again. If you have absolutely nothing to wear to the track, buy something decent you will own (and love) for years. You’re always bound to have a wedding on the horizon or an upscale work function. With a well-cut classy number you won’t need to put your hand in your pocket again anytime soon. For ladies, black never goes out of fashion, and if you’re careful you can choose something that can be styled up or down through accessories and layering. For guys, navy or grey suits are timeless, and just like the girls you can use your accessories to mix it up for different occasions.
4. Rent a dress!
One hot tip to finding the perfect race day outfit is to not buy the dress. The perfect race day dress can be expensive, especially if you have a particular designer in mind. And there’s nothing worse than forking out a lot of money on a beautiful outfit and then only wearing it once. If your budget is on the smaller side or you’re just looking to save when it comes to the dress, consider renting a dress for the day rather than purchasing one. This gives you more choice in what brands you wear and gives you the chance to wear a piece you might otherwise not ever spend the money on. Headwear is also available to rent on some rental websites. You can find something truly unique without having to stress about the price tag. Just one thing – make sure not to overdo it on the champagne and ruin the dress!
5. BYO lunch or snacks!
With a little pre-organisation you can save yourself some hard-earned by taking your own nibbles to the races. Pool in with friends and grab some grazing board ingredients before you head off to the races. You can pack an entire picnic if you’re really on top of things. Just remember you can’t extend this to bringing your own booze though guys, but nice try.
6. Bet small
This is rather obvious, but if you don’t have a lot of money to throw around, don’t make the mistake of trying to triple it by putting it all on lucky number 7. Small bets are the most fun anyway. We’re talking literally $2 or $5 for a place. By the way, if you’re new to the whole betting thing, these helpful tips will sort you out.
7. Share a bottle between friends
Splitting a bottle of Chandon between your crew is a good way to get more bang for your buck on drink prices, and saves you spending more time queuing at the bar. #WINNING!