Ronan Keating @ Doncaster Day at Randwick,April 16.2011

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Rain dampens the Doncaster
April 17, 2011

IT was a day better suited to Drizabones and gumboots than Dolce and Gabbana, but the wet, miserable weather couldn't dampen spirits at Royal Randwick yesterday.

More than 18,000 enthusiastic racegoers turned up for Emirates Doncaster Day determined to have a good time - an excellent result, considering the rain that bucketed down and turned much of the course into a bog.

Among them were Premier Barry O'Farrell and Racing Minister George Souris, who were soaking up the atmosphere as guests in the committee room.

More than 40mm of rain fell on the track between Friday night and the first race yesterday. The track was heavy and the public areas were soaked.
Sydney Carnival ambassador Jodi Gordon sheltered in the members' stand to watch mudlark Sacred Choice ($10) take out the $2 million feature race. Gai Waterhouse and John Singleton's champion mare More Joyous couldn't handle the going and finished well back.

Gordon said a coat and scarf might have been a good addition to her Camilla and Marc dress and Nerida Winter hat. She was joined by former Packed To The Rafters star Zoe Ventoura, who said it was great to dress up for the day, regardless of the conditions.

A magenta-clad Jessica Mauboy didn't seem fazed by the soggy conditions, quipping that she was familiar with monsoons, being from the Northern Territory.

Ronan Keating said he felt quite at home with the rain.

"It's Irish weather, so I'm used to it," said the singer, who is in town shooting his first film, a romantic comedy. He said he loved going to the races in Australia.

"I've been to the Kentucky Derby, Ascot (in the UK) and the Dubai World Cup, but you do it best," he said.

The Spanish-themed Emirates tent had flamenco dancers and hosted Mauboy, Keating and other celebrities including Guy Sebastian and My Kitchen Rules winner Sammy Jakubiak

But it was former David Jones chief executive Mark McInnes who drew the most attention. He is moving to Melbourne for his new role as chief executive of Just Group, but said he planned to continue as a director of the NRL club Sydney Roosters and the Australian Turf Club.

"My main task is working with Premier Retail, but I'll be spending a lot of time in Sydney on weekends," he said.

In an upset in the $500,000 AJC Oaks, $26 chance Absolutely beat last week's Derby winner Shamrocker.

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merci melting pot

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Doncaster Day at Randwick
13 Apr 11

Jodi Gordon, Royal Randwick Carnival Ambassador, will join Sydney’s racing and social royalty as they fire up for another weekend of quality racing and fashion on the second day of Sydney Carnival at Royal Randwick.

Hailed one of the nation’s most prestigious sporting events, Sydneysiders will descend trackside for a blockbuster racing line-up on Emirates Doncaster Day.

A highlight of the day will be the running of John Singleton-owned, Gai Waterhouse-trained mare More Joyous in the $2 million Emirates Doncaster Mile. Marking a historic day for Gai Waterhouse, the leading trainer will aim to equal her father, the legendary TJ Smith’s record of seven Emirates Doncaster Mile wins. Inspired by Singleton, if More Joyous wins this weekend, Gai has offered to shout the bar to all race book holders at Royal Randwick.

Off the track, guests including Ronan Keating, Daniel McPherson, Charlotte Dawson, April Rose Pengilly and Maude Garret will be hosted in the Spanish-themed Emirates marquee where celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will impress the star-studded crowd with his delicious culinary offerings.

The fun and colour from the Emirates marquee will descend on the rest of the track as all racegoers at Royal Randwick will be given the chance to win a trip to Madrid by participating in the Emirates Flamenco Dance performance. The Emirates flamenco dancers will be performing at 1.15pm and 2.30pm next to the meeting tree and is open to all.

A Fashion Spotting competition will be hotly contested which will see fashion insiders including Jodi Gordon, Nerida Winter (Milliner), Gigi Edgley (Actor) and Kelly Lipman (Designer) peruse the track handpick the best dressed fillies on course.

Thanks to TAB Sportsbet, one lucky trackside guest will be given the chance to win a $50,000 bet on the Group 1 Emirates Doncaster Mile

Media accreditation is essential. All F2A broadcasters (other than the official Sydney Carnival broadcaster) are required to act in accordance with the Australian Turf Club’s (ATC) F2A broadcaster race day policy

What: Emirates Doncaster Day, Saturday April 16

Who: Emirates’ special guests include Jodi Gordon (Royal Randwick Carnival Ambassador), Ronan Keating, Zoe Ventoura, Charlotte Dawson, April Rose Pengilly, Daniel MacPherson, Maude Garrett, Sarah Cumming, Sonia Kruger, Layne Beachley and Kirk Pengilly, Hoda Vakili, Didier Cohen, Elka Graham.

Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse, Alison Road, Randwick

When: 10.30am Gates Open

12.30pm – 1.30pm Fashion Spotting commences


1.15 and 2.30pm Flamenco Dance Class performance

2.30 – 2.40pm Jodi Gordon judges finals of Fashion Spotting

2.48pm Fashion Spotting winner announced

Doncaster Day at Randwick