A crowd of 90,136 enjoyed sparkling sunshine to see Prized Icon win the 2016 AAMI Victoria Derby at famous Flemington on Saturday.
James Cummings became the fourth trainer of the Cummings dynasty to win the AAMI Victoria Derby, as the colt ridden by Glyn Schofield took out the $1.5 million dollar race by two and a half lengths, over Sacred Elixir and Inference.
Cummings joins his great grandfather Jim, grandfather Bart, and father Anthony in claiming Australia’s premier staying classic for three year olds.
Earlier, the Charlie Appleby-trained Oceanographer clinched his place inTuesday’s Emirates Melbourne Cup by winning the Group 3 Lexus Stakes.
Jockey Hugh Bowman secured two Group 1 wins, with victory aboard Flying Artie in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and on Le Romain in the Cantala Stakes, while I Am a Star became the first filly in history to take out the Group 1 Myer Classic.
There was also plenty of action off the track with many famous faces joining the tens of thousands across Flemington’s grandstands, marquees, lawns and car parks.
The popular Birdcage Enclosure was home to a host of celebrities including Curtis Stone at Emirates, Nicole Trunfio and Jenifer Hawkins in Myer, and Maria Menounos at Mumm.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Simon Love said AAMI Victoria Derby Day lived up to its reputation as one of the greatest days on the Australian racing calendar.
“Melbourne delivered a perfect spring day of racing, with an impressive crowd enjoying Flemington at its best,” said Mr Love.
“The scene is now set for an exciting 156th running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.”
The fashion stakes rivalled the on-course action with Myer Fashions on the Field for both women and men in the enclosure’s new location at The Park.
Latvian Gunita Kenina, who has recently relocated to Melbourne, took out the Women’s Racewear AAMI Victoria Derby Day crown in an elegant black and white Vezzano dress and hat and will compete with the eventual winners from Emirates Melbourne Cup Day and Crown Oaks Day for the Victorian title and entry into the National Final.
Shayne Tino from Melbourne won the Men’s Racewear competition in a three-piece double breasted grey suit with burgundy loafers and fedora.
The VRC is expecting around 100,000 people for the running of the 156thEmirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets are still available for purchase from Federation Square, Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne train stations or racegoers can jump the queues and buy online from Ticketek on their mobiles, even on raceday. Admission is free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult.
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