Sparkling day of Cup style
EMMA Cook, Danielle O’Brien and Taryn Cruickshank enjoyed some champagne and an entertaining day of horse racing as the Cairns Cup carnival got under way at the weekend. Numbers were well up on last year, with Cairns Jockey Club expecting to hit a combined attendance of 10,000 by next week.
CAIRNS Jockey Club is set to hit its target of 10,000 patrons across this month’s two big race days, with Saturday’s event drawing close to 5000.
Cairns Jockey Club general manager John Cameron said it was an exceptionally big day, with final numbers expected to be at least 1000 more than last year.
“Our turnover is up 25-30 per cent. If we achieve the same result this weekend … we’re thinking we’ll get close to the 10,000 or more over the two days,” he said.
The carnival culminates with a second race day next Saturday and Mr Cameron expects a record attendance.
“I don’t know anywhere else in Australia that is going as well as Cairns in relation to year-on-year increases in wagering on both on-course and off-course turnover from a percentage perspective,” he said.
“It’s exciting. Cairns is booming.”
The atmosphere at Saturday’s race meet was completely different to last year. Crowd numbers were bolstered by the addition of sponsor the Leukaemia Foundation, which had just under 500 people attend.
“They seemed to be having a marvellous time,” Mr Cameron said.
The foundation raised more than $48,000. The money will be used to provide accommodation for local patients when they travel to Townsville or Brisbane for treatments.
Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Frangos raided her sister’s closet for an outfit the morning of the race meeting. TRACKSIDE VIEW: Edmonton couple Harrison Brooks and Charlotte Frangos enjoyed a day out at the races at the Cairns Cup on Saturday.
“I just love that I got to dress up, and everyone here is so full of energy,” she said.
Ms Frangos and her boyfriend Harrison Brooks were among the nearly 5000-strong crowd who packed Cannon Park Racecourse on Saturday for the start of the carnival.
Ms Frangos said it was only the second race event she’d attended. “It’s a great atmosphere,” she said.
Her family had grown up with horses. Being under-age and not able to place a bet didn’t take away from the fun of watching them race, she said. Check out the big photo gallery and video from the Cairns Cup online www.cairnspost.com.au possumridge.com.au | Foster Rd, Mount Sheridan QLD 4868 RENAE Porta couldn’t contain her excitement when she was named a winner of the Contemporary Fashions on the Field at the Cairns Cup for the second year running.
“I was so excited I nearly wanted to cry,” the Gordonvale mother said.
Elegant winter fashion was on show as 40 ladies lined up for the iconic Cairns trackside fashion event.
Runners-up were Rubi Moss and Micaela Crompton.
Ms Porta’s striking aubergine and cream all-in-one lace dress, paired with rose gold accessories, was created by Cairns dressmaker Pauline Fenech.
“I love the leather look and I love the aubergine. It’s very tight-fitting and it suits my figure and I just feel great in it,” Ms Porta said.
The pair had been tossing ideas and working on the outfit since January this year.
“There were a lot of photos and sketching back and forth to come up with the perfect ensemble,” she said.
“It’s a winter race meet, so you have to follow guidelines with leather, felt, heavier material and deeper colours.”
Fashion is the main reason Ms Porta attended events during the Cairns racing season.
“It’s very elegant. I just love getting dressed up and feeling special, and the races gives that opportunity,” she said.