This year’s spring racing carnival: The same … but different

And wherever the celebrations are, the core elements of Cup Day will remain. Fashion editor and podcaster Deni Todorovic says dressing up for carnival is not all fluff and fancy, but a way to support many creative industries – fashion, millinery, hair and make-up. Todorovic thinks people should “use it as an opportunity to get together, because we have been starved of that, and this is the perfect opportunity to bust out of the tracksuit and enjoy the ritual of getting really dressed up. For those who wonder whether this is too frivolous a pursuit in light of all that has transpired, Todorovic says: “This event has so many eyeballs on it, and the beauty of fashion is that we can use it as a tool to have a conversation about social change. It can be very powerful.”

Samantha Finnegan, founder of Madebox, has a similar message. Although her non-perishable spring racing picnic food boxes are an easy way to dress up a cocktail and cheese board (containing items such as peach pearls for champagne or truffle honey for the brie), it is important to her that they serve a purpose beyond making money.

As such, the company works with more than 150 producers, makers and artisans from bushfire-affected regions. Each box comes with a story about the people behind it, which Finnegan says has been resonating with customers. “You’ve had this opulence at the races, and now we’ve got to reshape what our values are, and that means looking out for each other and remembering that social interaction is precious [especially after] it’s been taken away … with races [this year], there’s a real opportunity for reconnection.”

And perhaps an opportunity to reimagine what a racing event looks like evermore. Keebaugh, for one, thinks the pandemic has changed the way we will attend all events.

“We will always have an alignment between in real life and virtual, so that some people will choose to enjoy the modern event from a remote location. You might have 700 in a room, but 7000 joining in online.” And although he champions values such as connecting and inclusivity, his offerings will still have a touch of Cup craziness. Apart from limitless G.H. Mumm served by an old-school bellhop named “Monsieur Mumm”, Keebaugh has also arranged can-can girls, a marching band, an old-school bookie and the aforementioned pony as part of the entertainment. Yes, this is his pared-back version of the races.

Loading

Inclusivity is something milliner Felicity Northeast believes is also here to stay. “Part of the races is about catching up with people, and my favourite bit was when you could pop in and out and see people. I never quite liked it when it got so exclusive that you couldn’t see people in certain areas.”

Jo King, executive general manager of brand at Victoria Racing Club, says that while all zones at Flemington will have their different appeal, the pink-zoned garden experience will be “natural and wild … I am curious and optimistic about the way racegoers will interact in the space. We want to have an experience that is relaxing but also one you can enjoy with friends. It would be nice to think that this way of being could find its way naturally into the course in the following years. We’re building and curating beautiful spaces … You have to have your eye on the prize and make it memorable, something that people want to come back and do again.“

For the 2021 Cup carnival, it is actually time to stop and smell the roses, wherever you are.

Not on track? Let this get you into the mood

Batch & Co. This line of spritzes in cans comes in alcoholic flavours such as the combo guava, strawberry and rosé, but non-alcoholic ones are available as well. Co-founder/creator Thomas Kiltorp says the wine-based spritzes are “perfect for daytime drinking in the park”.

Peter Rowland. It has long since been the go-to caterer for picnics on The Rails – preparing 1.2 million canapes in a normal year – but with its Race Day Hampers, the VIP experience comes to your home. Kaffir lime poached prawns with saffron aioli? Yes.

Public House. The popular Richmond hotspot has a two-tiered rooftop deck and expects to be seeing a few punters on the race days. Its four-hour racing day packages will involve a per-head ticket and lots of car park-like nibbles.

Lexus. The naming rights sponsor of the Melbourne Cup will have three recipes available on lexus.com.au/lifestyle to create and try at home, courtesy of its collaboration with Melbourne chef Charlie Carrington of Atlas Dining, a sustainability advocate.