Everest Sydney and Caulfield Cup, Melbourne: Punters arrive in colourful frocks 

Punters sprint for the best spots as gates open at two of Australia’s biggest horse races in a colourful array of hats and frocks

  • The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney has become a ‘must attend’ race day 
  •  Elite horses are competing for a mammoth $15million in prize money
  • Thousands stream through the gates as the course opened to get the best spot 

Thousands of punters are packing racecourses in Sydney and Melbourne for two of Australia’s biggest horses.

At Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse thousands began arriving for The Everest, one of the biggest day’s on Australia’s horse racing calendar.

In Melbourne, despite days of rain and suburban flooding, race-goers rocked up for the $5million Caulfield Cup, the preview race for the Melbourne Cup on November 1.

In an array of colours and styles, patrons raced through the turnstiles when gates open to secure the best spot in the viewing yard. 

Short skirts and sky-high heels were the outfit for the ladies, while the men attempted various forms of suiting. 

In an array of colours and styles, patrons raced through the turnstiles when gates opened at Royal Randwick to secure the best spot in the viewing yard

Short skirts and sky-high heels were the outfit for the ladies, while the men attempted various forms of suiting

Short skirts and sky-high heels were the outfit for the ladies, while the men attempted various forms of suiting

In recent years The Everest has come to rival the Melbourne Cup Carnival as the must-attend day on the racing calendar

In recent years The Everest has come to rival the Melbourne Cup Carnival as the must-attend day on the racing calendar

A patron arrives at Caulfield racecourse for Caulfield Cup day in Melbourne

A patron arrives at Caulfield racecourse for Caulfield Cup day in Melbourne

The Caulfield Cup (punters, at the event on Saturday) has held Group 1 status ever since it was introduced in 1879 and is considered a form guide to the 'race that stops a nation' on the first Tuesday in November

The Caulfield Cup (punters, at the event on Saturday) has held Group 1 status ever since it was introduced in 1879 and is considered a form guide to the ‘race that stops a nation’ on the first Tuesday in November

In recent years The Everest has come to rival the Melbourne Cup Carnival as the must-attend day on the racing calendar.

The richest race in the country pits 12 of the best sprinters against each other over 1500m for a prize money purse of $15 million. 

Ace Sprinter Nature Strip is punted to get hearts racing being an odds-on favourite for the world’s richest turf race at Royal Randwick.

If all goes well for the horse he has a $6.2 million first-prize cheque to collect in Saturday’s running of The Everest. 

The Caulfield Cup is the annual lead-in to the Melbourne Cup, first run in 1879

The Caulfield Cup is the annual lead-in to the Melbourne Cup, first run in 1879

Punters frocking it up at the Caulfield Cup Races on Saturday (pictured)

Punters frocking it up at the Caulfield Cup Races on Saturday (pictured)

Patrons pose for photos on a sunny Saturday at The Everest at Royal Randwick, Sydney

Patrons pose for photos on a sunny Saturday at The Everest at Royal Randwick, Sydney

Race-goers pose for photos at a Sydney Spring Racing display during Everest Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse

Race-goers pose for photos at a Sydney Spring Racing display during Everest Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse

The $5million Caulfield Cup is the annual lead-in race to the Melbourne Cup, first introduced in 1879.

It has held Group 1 status ever since and is considered a form guide to the ‘race that stops a nation’ on the first Tuesday in November. 

Two women decide on ankle-length floral looks for The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney

Two women decide on ankle-length floral looks for The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney

Patrons head for the best spots on the fence after the gates opened at Royal Randwick in Sydney

Patrons head for the best spots on the fence after the gates opened at Royal Randwick in Sydney

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