Oaks Day 2010
Oaks Day originated in 1861 and was noted as the event after the Melbourne Cup Day. It was just the Thursday after the Tuesday and nothing that could upstage the glory of the cup day. In 1962, some one in the Victorian Racing Club had a brain wave to enliven proceedings a bit. Introduce a Fashion on the Field event that would have the ladies all a flutter, vying for the best dressed award that would give them something to get really excited about for a whole day. We’ll never know what prompted this outrageous piece of mental aberration, but the ladies welcomed it with open arms. This horse racing thing was all very well, but after all that brouhaha it lasted about 3 minutes; tell us about that.
The move to woo women onto the race tracks was a stroke of genius that set off a womens movement with a difference. What started as an attention seeking gimmick turned the event on its head and rewrote a few rules. Understandably there were some who thought all this “nonsense” would spell demise for what was basically an equestrian event, far removed from female fashion as anything could be. But fortunately for all concerned including the majestic horses, they were proved very, very wrong and the event has grown from gauche to poised sophisticate. It has of course, seen various changes take place and now includes a host of awards for Classic Race wear, Design, and Millinery.
Oaks Day has succeeded in winning international attention for the Carnival as a whole and this superb fun event is Melbourne’ gift to horse racing events the world over. Most similar events have now incorporated fashion into what would otherwise be a mere sweaty, betting and boozing male prerogative. Celebrity judges and international media personalities have added to the glamour and over all feel good element, and you’re left in no doubt as to the immense proportions of this mega event.
The ladies have now taken over this carnival which also races horses. The amount of exuberance and energy that the Oaks Day lends to the Carnival has to be seen to be believed. Women gather in their thousands dressed in gorgeous outfits and magnificent hats, all made up and dolled up with their best foot forward. A designer hat, handbag and a glass of champagne are mandatory accessories. Though most are aware that there is a horse race imminent and are heavily into the betting scene, there are at least a few who wouldn’t know the front end of a horse from its rear if they bumped into one.
Past Oaks Day winners fittingly include: Miss Finland, Serenade Rose, Special Harmony, Magical Miss and Lovelorn. Is this some freaky coincidence or what!?
