The Victoria Derby Day meeting at Flemington on Saturday saw a notably reduced presence of federal and state politicians, with shadow racing minister Tim McCurdy among the few exceptions in attendance. The event, hosted by the Victorian Racing Club (VRC), attracted a mixture of business leaders, sports figures, and prominent social personalities.
State governor Margaret Gardner was present alongside figures such as Crown chair Martin Pakula, former Westpac chair Lindsay Maxsted, and Paul Guerra, the newly appointed chair of the Melbourne Market Authority. Guerra recently faced significant challenges as the entire rest of the board resigned shortly after he assumed the role.
Corporate representation included Asahi CEO Amanda Sellers, marking the company’s debut as the racing carnival’s official beverage supplier, replacing Lion. Asahi’s marquee created a lively atmosphere, welcoming publicans and racing fans. Gil McLachlan, CEO of Tabcorp, was also on-site, appearing outside the Tab marquee just a day after the company’s annual general meeting. McLachlan described the company’s financial outlook as “encouraging,” particularly in relation to a potential merger with streaming giant DAZN, which could reshape the sports and gambling sectors. Despite the optimism, McLachlan candidly acknowledged significant personal losses linked to his wagering investments, characterizing his horse racing bets as “spectacularly unsuccessful.” He was joined by jockey Jamie Melham, who, after winning the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup last year, missed Saturday’s races due to suspension.
The gathering also featured several notable sports personalities, including V8 Supercar champion Mark Skaife, golfer Geoff Ogilvy with his wife Bree, and football players Josh Daicos, James Sicily, and Nate Caddy. Media entrepreneur Craig Hutchison, reflecting on his company’s improved financial position after earlier difficulties, was among the attendees as well.
Prominent financial and legal professionals included Alex Cartel, managing partner at Rothschild Australia and president of the Takeovers Panel; Dion Hershan, executive chair at Yarra Capital Management; Mark Brudenell, executive at Latitude Financial and former strategy chief to Malcolm Turnbull; and David Gallop, former NRL and Football Federation Australia CEO. Andrew Smith, head of equities at AustralianSuper—Tabcorp’s largest shareholder—was also present, alongside Gilbert + Tobin partner Alex Kauye, who advised Tabcorp on its recent $267 million acquisition of BetMakers.
Don Julio expanded its presence from a tent in previous years to a large, trackside marquee this year. The brand’s hospitality attracted figures such as Julien and Kristy-Lea Moussi, founders of Inglewood Coffee Roasters and Venues by ONLY.
Crown’s three-story marquee remained a major attraction, hosting celebrities, athletes, and influencers including P.E. Nation founder Pip Edwards, comedians Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding (newly married), models Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel, and Annalise Dalins, soon to marry Josh Daicos. The event also drew football players and media personalities from Nine Entertainment, such as Tom Steinfort, Alicia Loxley, Jelena Dokic, and Samantha Armytage.
Despite the social and commercial buzz, the Victorian Racing Club’s recent profit announcement underscored the ongoing decline in horse racing’s popularity. Political activity surrounding the upcoming November 28 state election added another layer to the day. The Liberal Party campaign headquarters reportedly sent text messages cautioning against political engagements in venues like the Birdcage and VRC committee room so close to the vote, emphasizing that many Victorians continue to face financial pressures.
While the Birdcage offered premium hospitality, opposition parties including the Liberals and One Nation appeared to prioritize election strategy over such events, suggesting that election success resonates more strongly than free hospitality from Tabcorp.