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Myer Ladies’ Day, the opening day of the Golden Slipper Festival is all about making a fashion statement. Rosehill Gardens attracts well-dressed women and men in their thousands for a traditionally glamorous day. It’s a day where the girls shine on course, with the running of the Coolmore Classic - Sydney’s richest race for fillies and mares. Off the course, the fashion stakes run high as ladies compete in the classic Myer Fashions on the Field contest while Sydney’s social set lend their support to charity at the annual McGrath Foundation Lunch.
The 2010 Golden Slipper Festival kicked off at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday despite the extremely hot autumn weather, attracting more than 13,500 people to celebrate Myer Ladies’ Day.
The racing program, worth almost $2 million did not disappoint. Nash Rawiller steered home the Gai Waterhourse trained Theseo in the $400,000 Ranvet Stakes for the second year running. Averta caused an upset in the feature event, the Coolmore Classic and Military Rose shot to favouritism in the AAMI Golden Slipper when she blitzed the field in the McGrath Foundation Reisling Stakes.
But the day belonged to the ladies, with fashion being a centrepiece of the action off the track.
In the women’s heats of Myer Fashions on the Field, Annandale’s Stephanie Manere was applauded for her green Betty Barclay dress, green velvet vintage hat and matching white hard case clutch and leather gloves. The 22-year-old restaurant manager and University student took home a prize package worth more than $5,000 in Myer gift cards, Rutherford jewellery, an LG mobile and GHD styler. Stephanie gains an automatic entry into the final on AAMI Golden Slipper Day, 3 April when it will also be the men’s turn to compete for the title of racing’s most fashionable.
The first runners-up title was awarded to 20-year-old athlete, Brittany McGlone of Braidwood who wore a classic black and white lace Seduce dress with complimentary traditional accessories including an amazing feathered hat handmade by her mother.
The second runner-up, 20-year-old University student Kellie Odell – who won the same event last Spring - was overwhelmed to be chosen by the panel of judges and caught their eye wearing a black Anna Essia dress and large detailed Neil Grigg black hat.
Myer Ladies’ Day also saw the McGrath Foundation lunch held in the Grand Pavilion, hosted by comedian Cameron Knight and attended by special guests including Foundation Chairman, Glenn McGrath, his former Australian teammate Michael Bevan, Sea Eagles star David Williams and Sydney Turf Club ambassador and Miss Universe Australia, Rachael Finch.
The Foundation raised $40,000 which will support its work in heightening breast awareness among young women and the employing breast care nurses in hospitals across Australia.
The Golden Slipper Festival continues this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens with Darley Guineas Day.
Come and witness the making of champions of the turf, held over three glorious days at one of Australia’s premier racecourses, culminating in the richest race for two-year-old thoroughbreds in the world, the AAMI Golden Slipper.
Myer Ladies Day - 20 MarchDarley Guineas Day - 27 MarchAAMI Golden Slipper Day - 03 April
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