The weather had been the focus of discussion for some time now - but the only certainty that we had was that it would changeable and cold. Although we woke up to a mist covered and then overcast Port Phillip, at various times during the morning, there were hints of sunshine pouring into the stateroom. Promising.
Cabin outfit check and easy passage to bus
Hit the Lido buffet for breakfast and dusted off the best clothes, including a tie for @Mac and a hat at a jaunty angle for me and happily attired, we waited for the 9.30 call to disembark. Considering the dramas of acquiring ticket 24 yesterday, this was absolutely effortless. Plenty of staff to usher you off the ship and onto the bus and then a perfect perched seat in the bus to view our local fashion parade of fellow travellers. Absolutely free flowing traffic took us across the Westgate Bridge and delivered us to the Elms Gate at Flemington. Still overcast but no rain and no need for layers of warmth. Felt like we were winners already.
Picked up the race book, had our heads on swivel necks taking it all in, took plenty of “freshly arrived” photos and found our seats in the Hill Stand right on the finishing line. The seat and bay numbering was a little confusing and we did have people who had taken up residence in our allocation, but a quick discussion had them relocating and we were set for the day.
The grounds and stands filled around us under sunshine. The lawn area was dotted with TAB umbrellas and waterproof mats, and revellers with BYO camp chairs quickly claimed those spots and eskies popped open with picnic staples. Grandstands were full, some punters had tickets to the inner track stands and everyone had access to the stables and could get up close and personal with the pre race parade in the mounting yard. All of the gardens were overflowing with roses - stunning clusters of blooms in every colour.
As the day progressed, the increasing roar of the alcohol fuelled crowd drowned out the hooves of the horses and the voice of the commentator and race caller. A live band performed between races at the stage area, food and alcohol flowed - it was constant live theatre. And after the day by day countdown to finally get here, I can’t believe how quickly the day just disappeared.
You could have turned up in your tracksuit - not that I recall seeing anyone dressed like that. There was plenty to look at - hats, dresses, shoes, jackets, handbags, gloves, long short, skimpy, tight or loose, dull or bright, low heel or stilettos ….. you could find it all. Basically though - a hat for ladies and a suit for men … sort of standard. Mind you, the Members areas were a little more restrictive in their requirements. And funnily, enough, not everyone had “warm” options. Lots of bare shoulders for the ladies ... amd as the day progressed, saw lots of goose bump covered flesh.
The bursts of sunshine lasted right up until about 2.30 when the formalities for the cup started. The clouds rushed in, the light rain started and the temperature plummeted. The crowds on the lawn clumped together under the umbrellas and the punters in the stands added more layers.
Yes we lined up for food and for the ladies toilets, but that moved pretty quickly. Other than literally being run over by a very elderly lady on her motorised scooter in the stable viewing area - the battle through the crowds and the shoulder to shoulder shuffling was part of the fun. We didn’t have to line up for a bet because @Mac had it all under control in the APP.
And on the punting side - @Mac was just “playing” hadn’t even glanced at the form. In the cup, I scored a win because Mum had drawn Half Yours in the sweep. When I had called her from Sydney Harbour her advice was to NOT back it. From that moment on, that was my pick. I doubled it up with Goodie Two Shoes because we had received a Monday video of @Katarina taking her first steps with the aid of the push trolley. Winner winner for me.
We had a group boxed trifecta running around but my selection was the only one that hit. But it was all fun.
Announcments and pre race ceremonies were cut a little short becaise the wind and rain had arrived with determination. It was short lived and disappeared as the jockeys mounted and the horses took their places in the barriers.
The red light was flashing ..... and they were racing in the 2025 Cup.
The race was exciting and we got to see the horses charge past twice on the long journey. Not a hope in hell of hearing the commemrary. But that was the fun of it - the roar of the 80000+ plus crowd was deafening. People screaming and jumping. Loads of applause and a little curiosity as Buckaroo walked over rhe line.
And for many, the was just the start of the party fun.
In terns of betting, the most lucrative investment was an omen bet for @Mac in Race 9. That little gem got us off the track as happy winners. Each night on the ship, we can hear the “doof doof” beat of the live music - it's only when you put your head on the pillow - it seems to echo in. Anyway, for Race 9 we had decided to experience the race past the finish line and on the rails. Nice and clise. This position was the last “bookies” stand before the stage and the very loud live music. Jokingly, as the music pumped doof doof in the background, @Mac invited @Loraine and I to go and have a dance. @Richard was busy talking with some locals, Nick and Bossy …. and that determined his omen bet on “Nick the Boss” but as @Loraine read out the starters " Dance to the Boom" immediately ignited their spidey race senses and @Mac’s instant guffaw was “$h!t, I have to back that.” He whipped out the phone, placed the bet at 20/1 and then helped the jockey whip home the winner. @Loraine was equally quick on the draw with her account and as grinning winners we made out way to the exit.
That seemed like the perfect full stop to the end of a perfect stop.
Um, not so fast. We did have one little wrinkle in our adventure. Boarded the bus and made the return journey to the ship only to be greeted by a 70 minute endurance test reboarding. With all the passengers converging on the terminal and the Port Authority at the same time, it was a test of everyone’s patience. For some reason, it looked like there was one security check point open to handle the complete screening of every passenger. About 45 minutes into the snaking crawl of the queue, we heard enormous cheers ahead as a second screening queue was opened. But it was all a little on the nose and was a perfect way to unlock the frustrations and grumpiness of many passengers.
Anyway, meant we were back on board a little later than expected. Had a new upper level seating area for our party of six and we once again ate and drank our way through multiple courses. To celebrate the win @Mac doubled down on the dessert AND joined @Loraine in scoring an Irish coffee.
All on board and back to normal
How funny, so tired, and my 10.30 joining of my head to the pillow was not accompanied by the doof doof sounds! Seems like the universe had spoken, we had listened and now we need to be spidey tuned for the next message.
PS: Empathy shot. Having a ball with hats - with a jaunty tilt - and tassels for the Melbourne Cup.
PPS A perfect day and thanks to @Richard for the organisation of our seats …, wow, sensational position.
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