March 31, 2016
The Sydney Autumn Carnival moves to Royal Randwick for The Championships Day 1 this Saturday.
Highlighted by four Group 1 races on the track, the action off the track will continue throughout the day and conclude with a not-to-be-missed performance by ATC ambassador Ronan Keating after the last race in the Theatre of the Horse.
Racegoers are encouraged to dress in their best monochromatic ensemble and those who are feeling on trend should enter the Myer Fashions on the Field competition.
Judged by ATC ambassador Storm Keating and Myer ambassadors Jennifer Hawkins, Jodi Anasta and Kris Smith, the stakes will be high with contestants vying for a share in a prize pool valued at over $60,000.
A new addition to the race day offering, Little Bondi located on the Leger Lawn, will bring a taste of the iconic Bondi Beach trackside with favourites from Icebergs, Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta and The Bucket List.
Those looking to take their race day experience to the next level and wanting to indulge can book into Little Sydney. Featuring a curated selection of iconic Sydney restaurants; Chiswick, Icebergs and China Doll, the three eateries will come together under one roof to host food lovers and Sydney’s social set.
The Clinique Pamper Lounge will be on hand for complimentary makeup touch ups, while Members can enjoy freshly shucked oysters at the ‘Get Shucked’ Oyster Bar ‘located next to the Veuve Cliquot airstream behind the Officials Stand.
Be one of the first 2000 people through the gates and get a Winx cap to support the mare on her way to Group 1 $3 million The Star Doncaster Mile glory.
The Chris Waller-trained mare will be looking for her ninth consecutive win when she faces the starter in the feature race.
Opening as the shortest priced $1.85 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in 90 years, the four-year-old’s main competition will come from stablemate Kermadec ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds) who ran second to Winx in the China Horse Club George Ryder Stakes a fortnight ago.
The BMW Australian Derby also has a hot favourite in Tarzino ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds) as the Victorian visitor aims to repeat his Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas triumph and also complete the rare double of the VRC Derby in the spring and the Royal Randwick classic in the autumn.
Jameka ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds) will also be aiming for a rare feat, trying to become only the third filly in more than 25 years to win the BMW Australian Derby, following Research (1989) and Shamrocker (2011).
Public gates will open at 10.30am with the first race at 12.10pm.
Royal Randwick has free high-capacity WiFi across the racecourse precinct.
There is free public parking in the infield from the High Street entrance.
A direct free bus service will be in operation to and from Central Station.