Highlights On The Star Championships Day 1
March 30, 2023
It’s Royal Randwick’s turn to shine with The Star Championships Day 1 this Saturday.
Featuring four Group 1 races it will be a day of world-class racing as well as the best food fashion and entertainment, which finishes with a Sydney exclusive performance by PNAU (DJ SET).
Here are nine things you don’t want to miss:
- Sydney Confidential Fashion Stakes
Make sure you wear a splash pink on Sydney’s pink raceday and enter the Sydney Confidential Fashion Stakes. For fashion inspiration check out our 2023 Sydney Autumn Style Guide. It is set to be a colourful affair, filled with high fashion, champagne and Sydney’s best racing.
- Glam up at the Pamper Pavilion
Check out The Pamper Pavilion, a brand-new uniquely curated space exclusive to Royal Randwick racedays this carnival to ensure you look and feel your best all day long. From complimentary hair and makeup touch ups, photo moments, fashion illustrators, entertainment, and beverages, this is the destination for all your raceday essentials. Follow the pink carpet on arrival, and our friendly staff will be of service! Find out more here.
- Check out the world-class WINX Stand
The impressive WINX Stand named after the legendary mare is open to all racegoers to enjoy. The ground floor will feature DJ and food outlets which opens up on to the Leger lawn to get close to the racing action. Upstairs in The Gallery North Room will feature a sports bar with bespoke food offering and betting activation. While The Gallery South has DJs with cocktails and tapas. The open terrace is also home to the Happy Clapper Bar which has one of the best views on track. Watch here.
- Experience the TAB Dome
Step inside the future of betting at the TAB Dome, get the inside scoop about the new TAB app and the powerful tools and features it provides. A purpose-built APP LAB has been designed to place bets and watch the days races. Head to the TAB Dome to experience racing like never before.
- $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile – 4.35pm
This is a race rich in history. First run in 1866 it is a race won by many great horses and trainers. This year a capacity field of 20 runners line-up competing for $4 million in prizemoney over the testing Royal Randwick mile. Brothers Ben and JD Hayes are aiming to go back-to-back in the race with Mr Brightside to be ridden by Zac Purton returning from Hong Kong. Superstar Brazilian jockey Joao Moeira who rides in Hong Kong will take the ride on the Chris Waller trained Fangirl. People’s favourite Happy Clapper will lead the field out and be on track from 1.30pm for photos with fans in raceday stall number 12.
- $3 million Furphy T J Smith Stakes – 3.55pm
The race was first run in 1997 and is named after the legendary trainer Tommy Smith who won 33 Sydney premierships. Champion Chris Waller-trained sprinter Nature Strip is aiming for history when he runs going for a record four straight victories in the race. His biggest danger is reigning TAB Everest champion Giga Kick trained by Clayton Douglas.
- More Group 1 racing action
The Group 1 Australian Derby (5.15pm) was first run in 1861 and will see a quality field of 18 three-year-olds take their place. Kiwi galloper Smart ‘N’ Smart who won the NZ Derby is the horse to beat trained by Graeme and Deborah Rogerson and to be ridden by Hugh Bowman. The two-year-olds line-up in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ with Cylinder looking to make an amends for finishing second in the Longines Golden Slipper.
- Indulge in raceday fare
We’ve enhanced 24 food & beverage outlets leading into Spring. Members can head to the Carbine Café to find boutique finger sandwiches including the iconic crab, house-made signature desserts and fine coffee. The Epsom Cheese and Wine Bar by Petaluma provides shared platters and artisan cheese and salumi from predominantly New South Wales producers. The adjacent Kensington Room will offer a twist on the much-loved pie and mash combination. Oaks Café will serve market fresh seafood cooked to order including the popular Furphy beer battered fish and fat chips.
- Dance away the day to PNAU (DJ Set) in an exclusive Sydney Performance
The internationally acclaimed multiple ARIA Award-winning and chart-topping act will perform a special 60-minute DJ set including their global hits, exclusively The Star Championships Day 1.
