However we're in Auckland for Melbourne Cup 2020.  Billed as a Race Day Super Event at Ellerslie, I agonised over what to wear if we were going to the Jarden event - hmmm...

The ​Melbourne Cup is a particular horse race on one race day, but that is just the headline event: it is way more than that.  The official title is the ‘Melbourne Cup Carnival’, where festivities overrun the city for more than a week, with four unique race days taking place.  It has long and rich history and is the headline springtime event in Australia, first starting in 1861.  In that era, everyone was well-dressed for the occasion as that was normal.

That tradition has been maintained to the present day, hence it is a brilliant excuse to dress up more spectacular than a society wedding, and party like there is no tomorrow during the day and night.  Picnic parties, celebrations, ladies and gents showing off their latest trends & fashions. 

In addition, the fashion and furbellows must-haves, and near misses - live coverage was from Flemington racecourse in Victoria.  The home of Melbourne Cup each year, and "after the last race party"  - this year the live event televised here in Auckland and after-party extravaganza – was just going to be awesome; we were going, no two ways about that.

Melbourne Cup event at Ellerslie Racecourse, 2020 – when parts of the world are locked in various alert levels and lockdowns due to the pandemic, this is a rare one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to the races as one would do in pre-COVID eras.  Do we even remember what it was like...  without COVID?  Kinda extraordinary, a surreal springtime event... 

Ellerslie racecourse, for Melbourne Cup 2020 – hmmm, indeed, what should I wear? Fashion...  Dress code...  Hospitality ..  and more.  Though we've lived in different parts of the world, and had many adventures, I'd never been to a day at the races.  Ah yes, there is a Dress Code for the occasion.  I read it with interest - ok, what I have in mind would do, great.  Suits for the men, ok, also solved. 

There were various seating arrangements for the races, depending on the ticket purchased: from the very exclusive … to public stands.  The Enclosure, for example states: '' ...party precinct where racing takes a backseat, and the people are to the fore, and … entry into the official after-party in our exclusive Cuvée Bar after the last race at Ellerslie.. ''; the Ascot Stand, etc. 

Guests in the track-side lawn enclosures were amazingly gorgeous, both guys and ladies, dressed up to the nines.  Skirts were adjusted, dresses momentarily in disarray as a sudden breeze blew past; stunning headpieces perhaps would be discarded to the sounds of after-the-last-race-party, later on. 

The TAB (Totalisator Agency Board) vans were dotted around the grounds for the live TV racing coverage and betting systems.  Outside bars and food outlets, hospitality marquees, and picnicking on the grass.  The stands were replete with inside bars, one with a roast carvery special as one of the offerings; nibble’s and snacks, and of course a glass of Champagne or three.  Nostalgic names such as Ascot Stand, Goldstar Lounge, had the tote booths where one could place a bet.  Watch the racing in air-conditioned comfort, sipping from Moet et Chandon or Dom Perignon perhaps, we checked it out.  Of course, a million photo opportunities...

Higher up in the Ascot stand before the big Cup race from Melbourne, we ventured out of the inner lounges to the outside terracing to watch a few of the earlier races.  The stand catches the breeze more than at ground level although it seemed okay at the time – until a few gusts almost knocked me off my feet as I was taking photos.

We placed a bet on the big race, and cheered the jockey on, from afar in NZ: it was televised on gigantic screens all around the racecourse.  Our horse came in second, but hey, we got a small return on one of the preceding races being run at Ellerslie.  It's the fun of having a race day flutter in this extraordinary year, and what better day than the Melbourne Cup 2020, at the Jarden event at Ellerslie.  Enjoying the freedom of space and ability to go to an event such as thoroughbred horse racing, seemed an impossibility just a few months ago. 

I really enjoyed Melbourne Cup 2020 – not knowing what to expect, more especially in a COVID-altered world, my first racing day ever was very enjoyable in Auckland.  Melbourne Cup day was pretty breezy, threatening rain; my right leg was slightly wobbly on the grass, even though I had my leg brace on.  Just yards away was the podium and photographers galore, the fashion on the field, in the stands, dotted around my eye picked out wispy fascinators, sublime hats. 

Not having the pleasure to attend a horse-race before in Ellerslie, one would expect the middle of the racetrack to be green open space other than large displays of real-time race results and perhaps a giant TV screen. However, Ellerslie makes good use of that space for a golf driving range and a small 9-hole Pitch and Putt course.  Horses at speed around the racetrack whilst a foursome casually hitting high balls to a close green – a brilliant use of the space although quite surreal, and nobody batted an eyelid at the odd concept of practice golf alongside a horse-race.

Fashionista siren- it was simply impressive, a kaleidoscope of colour.  Prizes for the best dressed and representations of fashion at upcoming events, after-parties galore, there were big winners in NZ.  We're planning to go again to future racing events - Melbourne Cup 2020 was an extraordinary, fantastic day out.  More is to come next year...