There was a tense and tired atmosphere at the TAB as the Caulfield Cup neared. Some placed their bets as if their lives depended on it, while others found solace in their drinks. As the race started, the room filled with cheers and claps.
Perhaps none were louder than Liam Guilfoyle, who backed a winner in Duke De Sessa. Racegoers enjoy some sunshine at Caulfield racecourse Credit: Justin McManus “The bravado that it showed, that horse, when it got to 600 metres. He got to the front really early,” said Guilfoyle, who owns a few horses with a few friends and attends Victoria’s major horse races.
“What else would you expect from [trainer] Ciaron Maher? He won the Everest, he won the Caulfield Cup today. He’s a real battler.” Windy weather, public transport hiccups and anti-racing protesters did not deter the spirited Caulfield Cup crowd on Saturday.
The people Victorian racing want to attract – women and the young – put in a good showing, with organisers late on Saturday putting the crowd at 25,676. Rich Watkins at Caulfield racecourse Credit: Justin McManus Bookie James Bickerton, in his 10th year at the cup, said trade had been busy over the week. The atmosphere started to get fruity by about 4pm, with crushed cans on the grass, spilt drinks on jackets and a dance floor emerging to a cover band.
Among the guests were Melbourne footballer and stylist Lana Wilkinson. Caulfield Cup veteran Elizabeth Paterson, in her homemade outfit. Credit: Madeleine Heffernan Pl.