Partygoers took a chance after torrential rain bucketed down on Sydney overnight and got glammed up for a day at the races – luckily finding nothing but sunshine.
Royal Randwick racecourse played host to the first day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival on Saturday, which went ahead on a heavily waterlogged track to many people’s surprise.
The Star Championships Day 1 featured major prize money for the winning horse owners and jockeys, with highlights including the Group 1 Australian Derby and the Group 1 The Star Doncaster Mile.
The Australian Turf Club asked guests ‘to adhere to our dress code which is in place to maintain the sense of occasion that makes a raceday so special’.
It added that ‘As a nod to tradition, dress to impress in black and white attire’, which many revellers followed, but some went against the grain in more colourful attire.
On the turf, Riff Rocket brought legendary trainer Chris Waller one of the few Group 1 races he had not previously won, with a Derby double.
Racegoers were advised to ‘dress to impress in black and white attire’, and these ladies (pictured) certainly got the second half of the memo right
This man definitely got the black and white look right, which his glamorous companion rocked a chic look which had more than a touch of Jackie Kennedy about it
Only one person in this group of five is not checking their phone, and she looks happiest of all
The man in the pink tie appears to be telling a very amusing story to his companion
As well as black and white attire, salmon pink was also popular at Randwick on Saturday
The colt proved his worth yet again in the 2,400metre Australian Derby, which is worth a cool $2million.
‘I don’t cry as much as I used to but this one’s pretty special,’ Mr Waller told Racenet.
‘He’s done a great job, he’s an amazing horse, he puts himself into the race at the right time.
‘Amazing ride from James (McDonald). He didn’t panic being back there, it was a truly-run Derby and we had that question mark over his staying ability, but how dare we?’
James McDonald riding Riff Rocket (pictured left) won the race 9 Australian Derby at Royal Randwick Racecourse on April 6, 2024
The colt (pictured) proved his worth yet again in the 2,400metre Australian Derby, which is worth a cool $2million
James McDonald and Riff Rocket are pictured being led off the course after winning
As well as big prizes on the track, there was also some serious money to be won off it.
Racegoers were invited to share their style for a chance to win a share of more than $15,000 in cash and prizes.
And there was a lot of competition in the best dressed on a sunny Sydney afternoon when everybody breathed a sigh of relief that the relentless rain which pummelled the city over the last few days finally stopped, even if that is likely to prove to be a temporary relief.
Everybody in this shot did their best to adhere to the request to wear black and white
This woman went the extra mile and wore a black hat as well as a black dress and white jewellery
Very high heels (pictured) were also much in evidence on a fine day in Randwick
Maybe they just had a big win with a bet, maybe they owned a winning horse, or maybe they just felt this was a good time for a passionate kiss
Hopefully the women looking into the drain hasn’t just dropped a winning betting slip down there
Crowds are pictured arriving for the big day out at the Royal Randwick races
You are bound to bump into a few people you know at the races, and this man has definitely spotted someone he wants to talk to
The woman second from left does not seem too pleased that her boyfriend is looking at the phone
Not everyone in the running for a best dressed prize was dressed in black and white; some wore a pink dress with style (pictured)
After a while, the shirts get untucked (pictured) and the jackets come off
A woman in red and a woman in regulation black and white are seen at Randwick races on Saturday
Back on the track, Celestial Legend and jockey Tyler Schiller had one of the great performances in the famous Randwick mile.
Celestial Legend burst out of the ruck late and caught up with Pericles and won by nearly a length.
‘This colt is unbelievable, he is a superstar,’ trainer Les Bridge told Racenet.
‘I just love the horse.’