Cup Draws Big Crowd To Randwick
- Tuesday, 01 November 2011 07:46
Sydney's biggest race crowd of the year rolled up at Randwick to be a part of Melbourne Cup day under clear skies on Tuesday.
A crowd of 25,590 had their eyes fixed on the numerous screens around the racecourse as French-trained Dunaden got home by the barest of margins over Red Cadeaux in the $6 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
The bumper crowd enjoying the day at Sydney's racing headquarters just surpassed the 25,368 of Derby Day in April when Black Caviar came to town.
Among the thousands on hand for the nine-race meeting were stars of Sydney FC, including marquee man Brett Emerton.
The A-League side's captain Terry McFlynn said the team took the opportunity to be trackside for the Cup day action.
"I think it was just a bit of fun for the boys," McFlynn said.
"We've had 12 weeks of hard pre-season and the season started nice so it was a little get-together today. With the Melbourne Cup being such a special day the boys decided to come down to Randwick and have a good day out, enjoy the horseracing and each other's company."
McFlynn didn't have any luck in the Cup itself with his selection Jukebox Jury finishing 20th.
"It was a good race and a very exciting end to the Cup," he said.
Dunaden was well supported on track at Randwick, and one of the lucky people celebrating in the public area was 19-year-old Aimee-Lili Peters from Mossman who placed some money on the French horse on a rare day out at the races.
"I've only been to the races once before and I won that day too," Peters said.
"My Dad told me to (put money on Dunaden). I never listen to him but I did today and it paid off."
Peters' friend Emily Barton didn't back the winner but loved the day out.
"It's my first day at the races today," she said.
Racegoers were estimated to consume one tonne of beef, 300kg of prawns, 600 dozen oysters, 100kg of smoked salmon and 10,000 pies.
An estimated 50,000 bottles of beer and 25,000 glasses of champagne were also consumed.
Australian Turf Club chief executive Darren Pearce said the 25,000-plus crowd was a "great result".
"It's traditionally one of our top three days," Pearce said.
"We've got good weather, good pricing, strong membership and it's resulted in a peak crowd for the year."
Randwick is about to undergo a $150 million redevelopment with work to start after Saturday's meeting.
