STEP OUT FOR DAY AT THE CUP
DON YOUR FAVOURITE FASCINATOR AND CHECK OUT NEW FASHION PRECINCT:
GATES open for the Red Beret Hotel & IGA Leukaemia Cairns Cup Carnival today, with stakes higher than ever for both the riders on the track, and the Fashions on the Field.
Jockeys racing on the day will be competing for a total $150,000 in prize money, double what it was two years ago.
Similarly, the best dressed men and ladies will vie for $40,000 in prizes, split between the Nautilus Aviation Fashions on the Field event and the public-voted Virtual Fashions by Social Butterfly Marketing.
Cairns Jockey Club marketing manager Shahnee Ricci said the record level of prizemoney had lured more racers from down south to compete in the event.
“Because the prize money for the races is higher, you’re getting higher quality of horses coming,” she said.
“The biggest change was moving from a weekend carnival to a two weekend carnival – more people can come on a Saturday than a Sunday.
“That leads to more people and more sponsorship from businesses getting involved with Fashions on the Field, pop-up bars and food stalls.”
For the first time, members of the public will be free to experience the party atmosphere of the fashion events at the new fashion precinct.
Previously, the fashion events were exclusive to those who purchased a ticket to the fashion luncheon.
Ms Ricci said those who missed out on the action in previous years would be able to feel more included this year.
“It’s a quirky fun area, with live music and the new official Cairns Cup cocktail, Return to Scale,” she said.
Last year’s Cairns Cup had over 5000 through the gate on both days, and the Cairns Jockey Club has set a target of 6000 for this year. The first race day is sponsored by Red Beret Hotel and the IGA Leukaemia Foundation.
Ms Ricci said the Cairns Cup Carnival managed to raise $30,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation last year, their first time sponsoring the event. Divine Success – Page 42