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Melbourne Cup 2009

Tue 03 Nov 2009 ,

Improved image coming soon!

First published on 17 Sep 2009. Updated on 5 Apr 2011.

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Grab your top hats, fasten your fascinators and book these venues for Melbourne Cup Day on 3 November. They’re racing!

Best for horseplay in a historic venue

The Argyle Melbourne Cup Cocktail Party

The Argyle transforms into Sydney’s very own virtual Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day this year. Complete with Grandstand, Stables and roving TAB agents, Argyle punters can book their own private Grandstand upstairs at The Argyle and indulge in a gourmet picnic lunch and three hours of race day frivolities including competing for prizes in Fashions on The Argyle. Tickets for The Grandstand are $99 per person (group bookings only) including three hours food and drink package. Tickets for The Stables are $45 per person and include one cocktail and food stalls for three hours. Tickets are pre-sale only.

The Argyle

Best for punters with hearts as big as phar lap

Cure for kids cup day VIP lunch

Equestrian royalty and Sydney thoroughbred auctioneers, the Inglis family, are opening up their 11 acre

heritage-listed Newmarket Stables property for a sophisticated charity lunch this Melbourne Cup Day. This special event is hosted by Cure Our Kids, with all proceeds to help children living with cancer. A glittering gala event is planned, with glamorous guests, personalities, and an exclusive opportunity to join Sydney’s elite society for Cup Day. Actor David Wenham, a Cure Our Kids Ambassador says, the event will be “as good as or even better than being in the birdcage in Flemington.” Proof? $150 treats guests to a sit down buffet lunch on the lawn and sparkling wine on arrival. Those with fatter wallets can join the Inglis’s themselves as VIPs where $330 tickets accord them seating in the “Big Barn” with a seated gourmet lunch inclusive of all drinks. All proceeds from the Lunch go to Cure Our Kids.

Newmarket Stables Complex

Best waterside venue for getting your backside trackside

Cargo Bar Cup Lunch

Want to watch the Cup by the waterfront? Head to the sensational Cargo Bar where Melbourne Cup ignites at any number of sun-soaked tables adjacent to the Big Blue down at King Street Wharf. Already famed throughout the city as a hot venue for thoroughbred hotties, Cargo Bar’s Cup carnival this year includes easy access to the biggest of big screens and three courses of beautiful food, all while you indulge in an action-packed day of sweeps, TAB facilities, fashion and sweepstake prizes and live entertainment from the maestros we know as the Cuban Brothers. Whether you’re celebrating a pony-fueled pay-day or drowning your sorrows amidst a sea of torn-up betting stubs, you’ll watch the sun set on Sydney in style at Cargo. Discounted group bookings are available but best be quick!

Cargo Bar

Best for high hat high horsers

Observatory Hotel 'Hats & High Tea'

Melbourne Cup Day comes with a twist at the Observatory Hotel this year. Far from the madding race crowd, the Hotel’s Galileo Restaurant is offering a Cup Day Deluxe High Tea replete with decadent cakes, finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam, all expertly made by Michelin-star chef, Masahiko Yomoda and washed down with exquisite French champagne. And just before starter’s orders explode from the restaurant’s big screens, Melbourne-based milliner Estelle Annabel will present a fashion parade showcasing the latest collection of couture headwear. If that weren’t enough, Day Spa therapists will perform La Prairie mini treatments all day while Sweepstake Stewards will assist with main race flutters and give away over $4000 worth of ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best hat’ door prizes. Tickets cost $79 and include entry, High Tea and half-bottle of champagne. Tuesday 3^rd November, 1.30pm–4.30pm in Galileo Restaurant.

The Observatory Hotel

Best for sweeping views and sweepstakes

Watershed Melbourne Cup lawn party

Down by the waters’ edge of Darling Harbour is the perfect place to relax with a cool drink as the frenzy of Melbourne Cup stops the nation and sends Sydney all aflutter for the well hooved and saddle sore. Already home to some of Sydney’s finest cocktails and hippest DJ’s, Watershed’s alluring alfresco area, spacious bar and all day menu are this year hosting a stellar Lawn Party that caters to all tastes, styles and budgets. For $59.50 per person, you’ll enjoy a luncheon buffet menu and a Hannah McNicol designer fashion parade plus a wide and sartorially splendid selection of ‘Best Dressed’ prizes, sweepstakes and big screens. Group bookings welcome.

The Watershed Hotel

Best for style-meisters, show ponies and clothes horses

Race to The Grace Melbourne Cup lunch

Melbourne’s most historic horse race viewed from one of Sydney’s most historic hotels? Sign us up! The Grace Hotel, probably the most famous example of neo-Gothic architecture in the city, is already a pinnacle of pin-high fashion but for Cup Day 2009 it’s set to hit fever pitch, with the Grace Brasserie opening its doors to over 200 lucky punters for a three-hour gala of selected high-class drinks, full buffet lunch and large plasma screens showing The Race That Stops a Nation. Perfect for group bookings, the Grace’s $79 ticket price includes all food and drink and the chance to win prizes for ‘Best Dressed’ ‘Best Tie’ (for the gents) and ‘Best Hat’ (for the girls). Alternatively, you could corral a select group of pals and head to Bar77Grace for a cosy Cup Day party amidst comfy furnishings and classy cocktails. Bookings on 02 9272 6636 restaurant.reservations@gracehotel.com.au.

The Grace Hotel

Melbourne Cup at The Shelbourne

Whether you're after a rowdy Melbourne Cup party, or indulging in a more refined dining experience, the Shelbourne's got it covered.

Shelbourne Hotel

Best for: Celebrating trackside

Royal Randwick Racecourse
Dracon Melbourne Cup Day.
Gates open 9am. Price: $35.
Giant screens, trackside marquees and bookmakers make this a very popular annual party. Splash out for a bar spot, terrace or dining room.

Best for: Making a day of it

Rosehill Gardens
Gates open 11am. Price: $12.
There will be picnic rest for: A good cause

Newmarket Stables
From: 12 noon-6pm. Price: $150-(VIP) $330
Support Cure Our Kids foundation, and dress to the theme of 'Thoroughbred'in an afternoon of alfresco dining amidt the estates lavish gardens. There will be full TAB facilities and a large screen, to ensure that you don't miss out on the racing action.

Best for: A day out of town
Newport Arms Hotel
From 10am. Price: $85.
The hotel overlooks the pristine waters of Pittwater. They'll crank up the outdoor cinema, and the annual Ravish Fashion Parade runs until the horses set off at 3pm.

Best for: Fabulous fashion
Wildfire Restaurant
Melbourne Cup Lunch.
12 noon-4pm. Price: $149.
Moet & Chandon Garden Party.
12 noon-4pm. Price: $99.
Grab a cocktail and laze on the Harbour Terrace at the Garden Party before catching the event live on a big screen, or opt for a lavish sit-down lunch.

Best for: Party animals
The Ivy
From 11am. Price: $0-$95.
Downstairs is open-house with $6 beers, sausage sizzle, sweeps and screens, while the den will offer canapés, bubbles and beer on the lawn. Stay back for the post-race party.

Best for: Sydney Harbour views
Café Sydney
From 12 noon. Price: $150.
Melbourne has the race, but it doesn't have views like this. The charming and always fashionable Deborah Hutton will host.

Best for: A luxurious lunchbreak
Mosaic Restaurant, Westin Sydney
From 12 noon. Price: $55-$129.
Mosaic is on the level one balcony under the glass atrium of GPO. A seafood buffet, large flat screens, sweeps and lucky table prizes will make this one a winner.

Best for: High Tea
Galileo Restaurant, The Observatory Hotel
From: 1.30pm-4.30pm. Price: $79
Indulge in a sumptuousHigh Tea feast, prepared by Michelin-star chef Masahiko Yomoda. Sip on champagne, watch the race and enjoy a fashion parade showcasing Estelle Annabel's latest couture headwear.

Best for: A drink at your local
The Dolphin Hotel
From 12.30pm.
The race will be projected on an entire wall, viewable from the dining room and the mezzanine.

Best for: Gambling in style
Astral Bar & Restaurant
From 12 noon. Price: $125-$135.
Slip upstairs from the betting action of the casino to Astral to experience views of the city and a specially designed menu by Sean Connolly.

Best for: An excuse to visit Sydney's best new restaurant
Rockpool Bar and Grill
From 12 noon.
Named Time Out Sydney's best new restaurant for 2009, Neil Perry's new venture is set in an old 1930s art deco bank with sky-high ceilings and marble columns.

Exchange Hotel
Melbourne Cup at The Exchange.
Price: $30-$65. The Members Enclosure upstairs will host a sumptuous 3 course lunch, while the Lawn Party downstairs will offer a tasty BBQ.

Glass Brasserie
Melbourne Cup Lunch.
From 12 noon. Price: $145. Comedian Adam Spencer hosts the event with an elegant 3 course lunch designed by Luke Mangan, a fashion parade from Fernando Frisoni and lots of prizes to be won.

The Sebel Pier One
Melbourne Cup Lunch.
1-4pm. Price: $89. Seafood buffet lunch at the Front Restaurant with race coverage, sweepstakes and prizes for best dressed.

Quadrant Restaurant
Melbourne Cup 2009.
From 12.30pm. Price: $119. 5 course degustation menu with wines from Domaine Chandon. Private group bookings also welcome in the ECQ Bar.

GPO Sydney
2009 Melbourne Cup at GPO Sydney.
From 12 noon. GPO’s biggest ever Melbourne Cup with 5 dining options, fashion parades from top designers, sweeps, prizes and a big screen.

Four Seasons Hotel
Variety’s 24th Melbourne Cup Lunch.
From 12 noon. Price: $195. Watch the race on the big screens, place a bet in the private TAB, try your luck at the Casino Royale and enjoy a 3 course lunch with live entertainment.

Q Station
Melbourne Cup Lunch.
From 12 noon. Price: $99. Enjoy an exclusive buffet lunch in the Governor Bourke Ballroom with live music, fashion and sweepstakes.

Sir Stamford Circular Quay
Melbourne Cup Lunch.
From 12 noon. Price: $125. Seafood buffet lunch with specially priced drinks, fashion parades, fun sweepstakes, jazz music and live race coverage.

Rydges Parramatta
Melbourne Cup Function.
Extensive seafood buffet in the Triple Crown Ballroom or restaurants with TAB facilities, big screens, sweepstakes, live music and Fashions on the Field.

Sydney Glass Island
Melbourne Cup 09.
12.30-4.30pm. Price: $130. Cruise around the harbour with all the glitz and glamour of the races with a buffet, drinks package, sweepstakes, Calcutta and fashion prizes.

Vagabond Cruises
Melbourne Cup Day Sydney Harbour Cruise.
1-4pm. Price: $70. 3 hour cruise with buffet lunch, live race coverage, sweepstakes and prizes for the best and most outrageously dressed.

Bundeena Bowling Club
Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon.
From 12 noon. Champagne on arrival and a buffet lunch with sweeps, prizes and raffles for the glamorously dressed.

Hughendon Hotel
Melbourne Cup Lunch.
12 noon-3pm. Price: $60. The champagne will be flowing on arrival with a delicious 3 course lunch, sweeps, prizes, mystery trifecta tickets and TAB facilities available at the Light Brigade around the corner.