FLUTTERS, FROCKS, FLOWERS AND FUN
APOLLO Jackson, the magician who won viewers’ hearts, if not Sophie Monk’s, on The Bachelorette, has been added to the field for one of the Gold Coast’s biggest Melbourne Cup Day parties.
Jackson, 24, will join 1200 people for today’s sold-out Centre of Melbourne Cup lunch at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach. Jackson, real name Jake Spence, will perform a magic trick and chat to MC Karen Phillips.
Revellers who haven’t already locked in plans for today’s 157th running of the Melbourne Cup will have trouble finding a seat at most of today’s big ticketed events.
The best bet for late starters will be Melba’s on the Park, which still has $30, $60 and $75 canapés and drinks packages available in its Main Bar.
Limited tickets are still available for Spring Fling, at The Collective Palm Beach, and new event Rose at the Races at Stingray, at QT Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise ($110 including drinks, canapés and Champagne on arrival).
QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar lunch, Sea World Resort’s tropical garden-themed lunch at its Conference Centre, The Arts Centre Gold Coast event and The Star Gold Coast’s Garden Kitchen & Bar and Cucina Vivo Cup Day functions are all sold out.
Sea FM’s Heather Maltman and Bella Frizza will judge fashions in the field for the Gold Coast Turf Club at Aquis Park (registrations close at 10.30am for an 11.30am start) before they join the sold-out crowd of 1000 for the turf club’s Event Centre Party.
Officials expect up to 10,000 people on course at Aquis Park today — including Tourism Minister Kate Jones and Mayor Tom Tate — with 6000 tickets already sold.
Gates open to members at 8.45am and the public at 9am.