Spring Carnival 2011 - Randwick Races

One thing that I have learned from living down here is that Aussies LOVE horse racing (well they love sports betting in general)! So when the opening weekend of Spring Racing Carnival came we made plans to go. Spring Carnival is located at Randwick Racecourse, about a 15min cab ride from city center.  Made it easy to getting out there, not to easy to catch a cab for the way home. Why there isn't a train that goes out to these places is beyond me.

Anyway, unlike in America where one typically only gets dressed up for the Kentucky Derby you get dressed up for any race day at Randwick...well at least as far as I can tell. Sadly I didn't have a fun hat or fascinator to wear. Need to put that on my shopping list as one will come in handy.

Horses all lined up ready for the race

Lisa had just flown in that morning from NYC ready to party! She came out for a Q4 rotation and proved to be lots of fun. I learned later on that we were both "sisters in the bond". 

The bottles of champagne came in fun little plastic ice "buckets"

Even though it was a bit chilly and overcast the girls still came out in their finest outfits (which for AUS means a short ass dress) and fascinators

They had one small area for the non-drinkers...clearly no one was interested 

We on the other hand had to load up on champagne before they closed the bars

My favourite hat and outfit of the day! Next time I am determined to have a cute fascinator for race day

Team America enjoying the festivities 

Lisa and I meeting random boys in shinny suits 

Towards the end of the day we meet a fun group that invited us into their VIP box. Next time we need to meet people like this in the beginning.