Festivities continued in Melbourne with another day of Spring Carnival racing featuring elegant ensembles, a lot of bubbly and more wild antics.
Racegoers flooded Flemington Racecourse once again on Thursday, ready to let their hair down for Oaks Day – and the revellers were in the mood to party just days after the Melbourne Cup celebrations kicked off.
This time sunshine and racing were on offer for the 70,000 guests who showed up for a day of what organisers termed ‘wonderment’.
All sparkles! Oaks Day celebrations are in full swing as racegoers let their hair down at the Spring Racing Carnival
The weather was a little kinder to racegoers compared to Tuesday’s downpour, so attendees didn’t have to worry about covering up their carefully selected fashion choices
Flemington Racecourse saw a lot of feminine and floral dresses and headpieces on Thursday for Ladies Day. Festivities kicked into full swing by late afternoon after the champagne had been popped
Dressed to impress, they were in high spirits by the late afternoon.
And while some got the feminine and distinctly fashion-forward memo, others crashed in the style stakes.
Oaks Day is all about ‘femininity, style and grace’ and is a day where both women and men are encouraged to step up their style and be creative and playful with their spring racing attire.
Details: Kate Waterhouse accessorised her luxury ensemble with a pink monogrammed box clutch from The Daily Edited and a netted pink headpiece in her mane
In full bloom! Always one to watch when it comes to fashion, Jennifer Hawkins certainly nailed the race day dress code in a conservative knee-length ensemble
Radio presenter Mel Greig (left) showed off her enviable figure in an on-trend pink mini dress, however the deep V-neck and short cut combined pushed the boundaries when it came to conservative Birdcage style protocol. Meanwhile Jaimee Belle Kennedy (right) trialled a very risque air hostess inspired look with a daring plunging neckline that also broke protocol
Traditionally known as ‘Ladies Day’, the nation’s celebrities pared down their bolder looks from the Cup in favour of soft silks, muted florals and mid-calf hemlines, with a fair few swapping hats for intricate crystal headbands.
Many in the Birdcage stunned in their designer threads, others crashed in the style stakes, choosing ill-fitted gowns, gaudy colour schemes and looks that broke the conservative Birdcage protocol.
Myer Ambassador Jennifer Hawkins, 34, looked picture perfect.
The former Miss Universe Australia showed off her statuesque frame in an elegant floral Alex Perry design.
A woman wraps her arms – and a leg – around a bearded man as festivities draw to a close
After a day of struggling in heels, a woman decides this bloke needs to have a go and swaps his shoes for hers
This woman’s friend attempts to help her up after a long day of festivities as part of the Spring Carnival races in Melbourne
One woman guzzled down water as her friend enjoyed a glass of champagne on the grass at the event
A woman assesses the damage to her feet after a day of standing in heels at Flemington Racecourse
Australian model Megan Gale sported a vibrant floral frock by Australian designer Toni Matičevski.
Meanwhile, racing royalty Kate Waterhouse was another to stand out, wearing a long-sleeve wrinkled silk-blend jacquard dress by Dolce Gabbana.
She looked incredibly chic in the frock which was cinched in close to her slender figure.
Star jockey and previous winner of the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne, also took a sartorial risk and opted for a tutti frutti pleated dress in the unique shades of canary yellow and tangerine.
She later raced in the Kennedy Oaks and placed third.
Flemington Racecourse welcomed about 70,000 guests on Thursday, all of whom seem to have recovered from their Melbourne Cup celebrations remarkably well
It might not be a bathroom but it’s as good a spot as any for this guy who appeared to need to relieve himself after the race
Superstar mare Arisita, ridden by Damian Lane, won the $1million race.
Guests let loose as they celebrated wins and losses, and there was a fair bit of affection on display as the day drew to a close.
Many women had opted to ditch their heels, with some choosing to walk barefoot, while others came prepared with thongs stashed in their bags.
The weather was a lot kinder to racegoers than Tuesday’s downpour, with the sun shining for the majority of the day.
This couple enjoyed a cheeky moment of passion at the end of Oaks Day in Melbourne on Thursday
These women have had it with high heels – two walk barefoot as they leave Flemington Racecourse, while their friend cleverly packed a pair of thongs to get home in