From the Editor, Leigh O’Connor.
It’s that time of year – the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 5 heralds not only the race that stops the nation, but also the start of festive celebrations as we frock up and party our way to the end of 2024.
This week we have your Cup celebrations covered from where to go to what to wear, drink and eat:
Have you ever thought of cruising to Melbourne for the big race? We take you onboard P&O and Carnival Cruises for the ride of a lifetime from either Brisbane or Sydney arriving at Flemington in time for Cup Day. On the way you can socialise, wine, dine and pamper yourself along with meet racing celebrities and garner fashion tips.
If you are looking to host your own Melbourne Cup soirée at home, let us take all the hassle out of the planning. Read our guide to hosting the ‘mane’ event on the racing calendar with great ideas on how to ensure your guests get that first past the winning post feeling; then check out five retro canapé recipes like mini pikelets with smoked salmon and crème fraiche and smoked haddock Scotch eggs to feed the hungry horde of racing fans.
For those attending racecourses around the country to celebrate, we show you how to avoid fashion faux pas on the day from never removing your shoes and going barefoot to who made the biggest mistakes – remember British model Jean Shrimpton sending the fashion world into a spin, wearing a mini dress, no hat or gloves and free-flowing locks in 1965?
Photo credit: Victoria Racing Club.
The three Cs of the Melbourne Cup – Champagne, cocktails and canapés – deserve attention and we haven’t forgotten them! From fizzy breakfasts in the car park to G.H.Mumm in The Birdcage, Champagne is the traditional drink of choice. Last year on race day, race-goers consumed more than 46,000 bottles of Champagne and that record is bound to be broken this year as the magic of Cup Carnival gets into full swing.
Find our six suggestions for cocktails and mighty morsels to eat along with the essential Cup Day survival kit for a seamless day of celebration – think plasters for blisters from new and uncomfortable shoes to chewing gum to get your minty breath back after a day of eating and drinking. Don’t forget a portable charger if you don’t want your phone to die during mid-selfie!
Photo credit: Victoria Racing Club.
Would you pay almost $3000 for a limited-edition bottle of Glenfiddich Scotch whisky adorned with ‘Mr.A’ - the signature of internationally renowned French artist André Saraiva?
Widely recognised as a genre-defining artist, André was responsible for a significant turning point in the history of street art, when he introduced his cheerful, top-hatted stick figure and now iconic, ‘Mr.A’ into his work.
Time to enter the gates, ready to storm down the straight and claim office bragging rights in the sweepstake…
