Spring Marches On

Well, it’s been a while since either one of us have updated this – how very remiss! So I’ll be posting a couple of updates in relatively quick succession to bring you up to speed on our life down under...

After the sporting extravaganza of the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final at the beginning of October (think FA Cup Final), the next event on Melbourne’s social calendar is the Spring Racing Carnival. Aussie horse racing at its best – well, that’s quite a big statement so I’ll caveat it with a maybe. I’m not an expert, but I’m sure one of you reading this might well be (Holl or Macky feel free to jump in here and post a comment to correct me). The Spring Racing Carnival is a week long event held at Flemington race course with four key days of race meetings. Now this is HUGE in Melbourne, possibly even in Australia. People fly in to Melbourne all suited and booted just for the day so they can attend a race meeting. I can only equate it to Royal Ascot, without any royalty in attendance. And despite SJP, Scary Spice, Philip Treacy and various other celebs being there, I don’t think they quite pass as royalty, although some teenagers may beg to differ. So when I say this is huge, it’s huge. The weeks running up to it create Spring Carnival fever in Melbourne, as the city becomes full of people shopping for new outfits. The full ensemble includes a fascinator or a hat, complete with new handbag and shoes – and that’s just the blokes. On Race Days the city and suburbs are full of well heeled Melbournites drinking, eating and generally enjoying the merriment of it all before or after Flemington. However, there are rules which must be followed... Each race day has a colour theme and a flower all of its own, some of which I haven’t quite been able to fathom just yet. Here goes my attempt to explain the form...

·         The first Saturday of the Carnival is always Derby Day – dress code is black and white (howay the lads) and the flower is (I think) a purple crocus.

·         The Tuesday is Melbourne Cup Day which is a public holiday here in Melbourne (maybe even Victoria) – dress code is brightly coloured and the flower is a yellow rose.

·         The Thursday is Oaks Day, now colloquially renamed as Blokes Day. Officially this is Ladies Day of the Carnival and was originally created on the precept that wherever there are women, the blokes will follow. What a way to increase attendance! I have no idea what the dress code or flower is for this day, as quite frankly I was at work so couldn’t watch the TV to continue with my “Integrating into Melbourne Life” curriculum.

·         The second Saturday is always Stakes Day. This is family day so the focus is on well dressed kids. There were some pretty good examples of Tantrum and Tiara style kids, but in the main, they were very cute and very snazzy.

I went to Stakes Day, which meant that Cup Day morning (pre the racing starting) was spent in the only two stores which were open on that day, the two department stores in Melbourne – Myer and David Jones – to update my wardrobe and get myself a fascinator. As it was spring and I like a challenge, I’d decided to avoid black at all costs, which was easier said than done. As a result, my fascinator, bag and shoes were all different colours. Most unlike me and it gave me the jitters just thinking about it! However, I went on the word of Madison magazine (a bit like Marie Claire only Australian) which was all about mixing up the colours of your accessories for the Spring trends. If at this point you’re thinking that I must have too much time on my hands if this is top of my worry list, I’d be inclined to agree with you. Except that it isn’t. Top of my worry list, that is. But my worry list wouldn’t make for a very entertaining blog, so you’re stuck with this for now. Any letters of complaint should be addressed to the Editor and they will be duly dealt with...

I should probably mention at this point that Mr S wasn’t having any wardrobe concerns at all. This was mainly down to the fact that Flemington doesn’t have any water, boats or sails, so he’d declined to attend. What Flemington did have was bright sunshine in a cloudless sky, great views of the winning post from our Hill Stand seats and even better, most stunning views of the Melbourne city skyline (see pic).

If any of you are thinking of visiting us next year, I’d strongly recommend coming for this Carnival, whether racing is your thing or not you’ll be gripped and swept up in the atmosphere. “I love a pardee with a happy atmosphere...” etc etc.

I’m starting to feel like this blog is dragging on a bit now, so to cut to the chase, I was spray tanned, manicured, pedicured, heeled, fascinatored and with a betting app on my phone, I was ready to go. After a rather cavalier start to my betting (only placing bets to win) I only won on the second race, so by 3pm the vice like grip of the fascinator on my head brought me to my senses and I started to bet each way. Not that it made a jot of difference, as I didn’t even get any other horses placed! For those of you that have never been to the races with me, it’s worth mentioning that I select my nags through a very technical study of the horses names and I pick a horse whose name I feel drawn to. Failing that, I look at that colours worn by the jockey and pick the ones I like best. Oh well, you have to know how much you can afford to lose at these things...



What did improve matters somewhat was the brilliant company of lovely Scottish Karen and Geordies Nessy, Macky and Olly. Yes, we like our “Y’s” in Newcastle, or should I say “why eyes”. After a hard day at the track, we meandered back into the city utilising the exemplary public transport system which was boosted for the day by express trains to and from Flemington every 4 minutes at peak times. It put the UK public transport infrastructure on FA cup day or at any large arena concert, or in fact in London at rush hour every day(!) to shame. After a very European evening of Pimms and Pasta we headed to a proper pub, The Sherlock Holmes, to watch the Toon v Everton game which had an 11.45pm kick off – AEDT. Luckily, as it was a proper pub, it also had seats (unlike most Aussie pubs which are cavernous and usually standing room only) so Nessy and I kicked back, whilst the boys sang/shouted rather loudly at the screen. It was just like the Akenside back in the day. There were some vague reports about a Gooner trying to become an honorary Toon Army member for the night, but they were never substantiated. I’m sure they’ll crop up again as The Toon coasts into a place in the top four at the end of the season. I’ll keep you updated....

Ciao for now x