THE heels were kicking up on and off the track at today’s spectacular 2006 Emirates Melbourne Cup meeting at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
While the unfancied Japanese runner Delta Blues raised the roof at Flemington, high fashion dominated the function rooms, marquees and lawns of Queensland’s premier thoroughbred racing club.
A record crowd of 13,057 filed through the gates to take in all the excitement of the time-honoured Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival feature event and a full eight race program of local racing.
"We had some spectacular weather, incredible racing and a truly sensational Melbourne Cup event," said Gold Coast Turf Club Chief Executive, Grant Sheather.
"The crowds arrived early and there was a fantastic atmosphere right around the racecourse right from the start.
"Our decision to increase the family content of the day, beef up security and implement our most comprehensive traffic plan ever really paid dividends as I don't think we have ever seen a better behaved Melbourne Cup crowd ever.
"It’s been absolutely magnificent," he said.
The traffic plan was the result of a collaborative effort involving club management, Queensland Transport, Queensland Police, Gold Coast City Council, Surfside Buslines and Regent Taxis, while the increased security involved the installation of a number of CCTV cameras around the racecourse.
In the $6000 Southport Central Fashions on the Field, today’s Most Contemporary Racewear winner Penny Lemonis from Runaway Bay took away a fabulous Golden Slipper Tour - return airfares, accommodation, transfers and ticketing to the Golden Slipper courtesy of Ambassador Travel.
Penny also took away a prize pack valued at over $2000.
Robina’s Ingrid Frincu was the Most Classic Racewear winner – Ingrid also scoring a fabulous prize pack, as did Biljana Kostouski whose inventive creation saw her crowned the wearer of the Most Fashionable Hat.
Keeping the flag flying for Robina and the blokes on-course was today’s Best Dressed Male, Ryan Milligan.
ENDS.
For further information please contact:
Grant Sheather
Chief Executive
5538 1599
Lisa Sommerville
Gold Coast Turf Club
Marketing and Corporate Development Manager
(07) 5538 1599
Wayne Hickson
HicksonMedia
(07) 5591 2556
0407 028 917
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