We’re off to the races!

The 2017 Spring Racing Carnival is here and it’s taking Victoria by storm, showing the best horses and fashion this side of the Pacific. Running from Sep 1 all the way through the Melbourne Cup, the carnival features 50 days of some of the most exciting Australian and international thoroughbred racing.

It’s quite the spring fling, a mix of style and world-class events that create a carnival-esque feel that’s not to be missed.

With the Memsie Stakes already behind us – proffering a whopping $1,000,000 purse – the excitement is only building. The action culminates in the Caulfield Cup in early October and the Melbourne Cup, the crown jewel of Australia’s spring races at Flemington, Melbourne.

The Melbourne Cup

On the first Tuesday in November, Australia’s finest converge at Flemington racecourse for the race that brings an entire nation to a halt. Run over a distance of 3200 metres – open handicap – the Melbourne Cup sports a prize purse worth $6,000,000. Kind of a big deal. Last year, Almandin stole the cup, and we’re all waiting with baited breath to see who takes the purse this year (current odds favouring Red Cardinal).

Two nerve-wracking miles and 24 local and international horses to cross them – that’s what we’re working with. Which is why it’s no wonder that pegging down a potential winner can prove rather challenging. Of late predictions have become better, but an element of uncertainty remains…and rightfully so. You’d be hard pressed not to get bored otherwise.

Fun fact for racing aficionados: Not only is the Melbourne Cup the prize apex of the Spring Racing Carnival, but it’s also the world’s richest handicap.

Fashion and entertainment

At the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s glitterati come out to mingle and shine. Hopefully, we’ll catch our very own Living Australian Legend, Gai Waterhouse, cheering on her thoroughbred Broadside towards the win, which would be her second Melbourne Cup victory since Fiorente won back in 2013.

The Park – a free fashion and entertainment space for racegoers – is open once again to host vibrant fashions, revellers, bars and tons of excitement. Covering 10,000 square meters, The Park is where you go to show off, drink champers with your mates and bask in all the good cheer the season has to offer.

While there’s no formal dress code required for General Admission, club members are advised to keep things sharp, trim and formal. Gentlemen wear sports coats, blazers or a full tailored suit of slacks with a tie and dress shoes to polish off the look. The ladies generally do the heavy-lifting when it comes to racecourse fashion, especially if they belong to the Members Enclosure, leading the fray with impeccably cut dresses, fancy hats and appropriate accessories.

Hit the track with Joe

Not going to the races? No worries, mate. Join Joe at the casino, grab a Mint Julep, and get your racing kicks with A Day at the Derby, a 5-reel, 20 line slot that’s rearing for a romp around the track. The best place to get in on all the Spring Racing Carnival festivities is right here – at Joe Fortune Casino.

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