The 13 Unmissable Highlights on Big Dance On Cup Day
November 6, 2023
Cup Day at Royal Randwick is the only place in Sydney you can catch live racing action on Melbourne Cup Day.
The Big Dance on Cup Day meeting is day nine of the Sydney Everest Carnival and one of two racedays this week that will see the completion of a highly successful spring.
These are 13 unmissable highlights for you to be a part of this Tuesday afternoon at Royal Randwick:
*DANCE UP A STORM – 2:20pm
The $3 million Big Dance is the feature event on Cup Day at Royal Randwick. Bjorn Baker and Matthew Dunn have the equal $5 TAB Fixed Odds favourites in Iknowastar and Cepehus respectively. Warwick Farm-based Baker is aiming for five straight wins with Iknowastar, who will be ridden by in-form jockey Tyler Schiller. Cepheus has been in great form too, winning his past two and will be ridden by big-time jockey, Nash Rawiller.
*LITTLE DANCE – 4:10pm
While the Big Dance is the feature event on the day, the $750,000 Little Dance has attracted a capacity field too. TAB Fixed Odds have Cavalier Charles as the early $4.40 favourite.
*PAMPER PAVILION (located on Octagonal Lawn)
Indulge yourself at the Pamper Pavilion at Royal Randwick. The ultimate fashion and beauty destination to ensure you feel your best all day long. Featuring fashion illustrators Stephanie Baynie and Alexandra Nea, complimentary Chandon on arrival and touch-ups / replenishments readily available upon request.
*AFTER THE LAST – 6:15pm
Cap off Cup Day by staying for the spectacular performance by Australian dance music duo, Sneaky Sound System. To be held just 10 minutes after the final race on the program, this forms part of the ‘After The Last’ concert series which has already seen Hot Dub Time Machine, DJ Havana Brown, Bjorn Again and Groove City all perform at Royal Randwick.
*MOËT & CHANDON CELEBRATION HOUR – 1pm till 2pm
Enjoy a bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut 750mL for $99 or a Moët & Chandon Rosé 750mL for $129. Celebration hour runs from 1pm till 2pm throughout the various bars at Royal Randwick.
*CATCH IT! – with the Sydney Sixers (from 10am till 6pm)
BBL team, the Sydney Sixers, will have a fantastic ‘Sixers Catching Inflatable’ erected on the Octagonal Lawn. Test your skills and see how sharp you are! Live appearance from WBBL player Emma Hughes from 12noon till 2pm.
*PHOTO MOMENTS – Theatre Of The Horse AND Octagonal Lawn
Make your Cup Day even more memorable by taking a commemorative photo in front of the Photo Wall, located near the Theatre Of The Horse. We also have Carnival Letters gracing the Octagonal Lawn which really pop and can highlight your photos from Cup Day.
*WINX STAND
Admission is free to the world-class WINX Stand where there is plenty of entertainment to make your Big Dance on Cup Day experience even more memorable. From floral photo moments to the TAB Lobby, DJs will be performing music sets throughout the afternoon while you can enjoy a beverage from cocktail bar and enjoy sweeping views of the Royal Randwick track from either the Ground Floor or First Level.
*EATS IN THE GARDEN (Rose Garden Lawn)
Explore some of Sydney’s finest food trucks, serving up delights from Caminito (Italian), Hi Chef (Vietnamese) and Chicken Theatre.
*TAB LOBBY & PENTHOUSE
See all the action from the best seat in the house thanks to TAB! Situated inside the Royal Randwick track itself, the Penthouse gives patrons an elevated experience where they don’t miss a second of the drama unfolding on the track. Win the chance to experience the TAB Penthouse by visiting the TAB Lobby in the Winx Stand.
*PUNTERS PODIUM – presented by Racing and Sports
Grab your ticket to the punters podium as the team from Racing & Sports invest your money between races 5-9. $10 per share which are available from all TAB operators before 2.30pm.
*ENDLESS FOOD AND DRINK OPTIONS
Members have a number of different bars and food outlets to satisfy their thirst or hunger on Big Dance on Cup Day. Among them are the ATC Smokehouse (burgers and brisket), Petaluma Wine Bar, Casa Aperol @ Royal Randwick (featuring DJ Mark Matthews), Mr Black Airstream (serving up Espresso Martinis) while you can head to The Parlour for free gelato! General admission patrons can head to the Canadian Club Bar, Grainshaker Austrtalian Vodka Bar, James Squire House and check out the number of food trucks located throughout the course (Greek Street – Trackside Lawn AND Hot Dogs – behind the QEII Stand) and in Eats Of The Garden.
*ROVING ENTERTAINMENT
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the roving band between 10:15am and 2:15pm.
Big Dance on Cup Day is the second last meeting of the Sydney Everest Carnival, which will conclude with Five Diamonds Ladies Day at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday (11 November).