Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thor arrived amid thunder and driving rain.
A diva was late. Like, really late.
The housewives were OTT.
And miles and miles of blue, goose pimpled flesh was THE fashion accessory du jour.
So, just your regular day out in the Birdcage then.
Unlike previous years, the A-D list of international, national and local celebrities paid careful heed to the strict dress code (no midriffs) and traditional monochromatic tones were largely adhered to.
Small, structured headpieces and jewelled tiara creations outnumbered the traditional hat and men embraced the day, many sporting tailored three-piece suits in shades of grey, black and in one exceptional example - all white.
Australian actor turned Hollywood mega luminary Chris Hemsworth kept the media waiting in the wind and rain outside the House of Walker marquee for almost an hour but when the Marvel superhero finally showed his chiselled face, a crush of fans, previously composed marquee guests and press, almost did away with the Aussie spunk.
The Real Housewives of Melbourne stars were a collective of big hair, spray tans and considerably exposed cleavage - all caught on the phalanx of reality television cameras that follow their every move.
The Housewives are filming season two and, judging by their screaming and squalling in the Lexus tent, clearly need some controversial clips to spruik the show.
Lavazza hosted heir to the Missoni luxury label, Margherita Maccapani Missoni, who wore vintage Escada and Charlotte Olympia wedges and did her best to keep up with the hard-partying crowd.
Beyonce's little sister, Solange Knowles, made a grand entrance almost four hours late and belted out tracks from her new album before climbing behind the decks.
On a blustery and at times freezing day, the two-floor Emirates marquee - a German-themed spectacular - was the place to be with carpets, heaters and local celebrities laughing it up over a Germanic-themed menu and Mumm champagne. The first to arrive were David Koch and Samantha Armytage, Gyton Grantley, Michael Klim, John Singleton, Lisa Wilkinson, Andy Lee, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Matt Preston and Chris Judd. And the luxe party was all thanks to PR queen Judy Romano, who was responsible for first taking the Birdcage to two levels in 2005.
It was all about the brothers in the C'ote D'Azur-inspired tent with The Block winners, Shannon and Simon Vos big toothy grinners, sipping champagne and soaking up the attention.
The boys say life has been utterly hectic with publicity and business opportunities since they won The Block but are planning "to go on a surfing holiday soon".
Sharing the spotlight at the celeb-packed tent, model twins Jordan and Zac Stenmark (Australia's most successful male model exports since forever) said they were thrilled to be at the races. Most likely the pair were thrilled at the love and lusty looks being thrown their way by just about every red-blooded female within a 10-foot range.
Australia's most manufactured "love rat" The Bachelor's Blake Garvey, delivered the most awkward encounter of the day. Garvey - perhaps shooting for some street cred - brought along his girlfriend Louise Pillidge's dad as his date, only to end up in the Swisse marquee, the same tent in which his ex-fiancee Sam Frost and contestant Chantal Hryniewski were swilling champagne.
SPRING RACING SELFIE COMPETITION
Send us a racing fashion selfie and you could win a luxury hamper worth more than $200.
Readers will be able to vote for the outfit they like the best because it is classy, weird, daring or unique.
The male and female with the most votes by midnight on Monday 10th November will win a deluxe luxury pamper pack each worth more than $200 from Pamper Hamper Gifts.
Include your name, email and contact number and, if you want, a description of your outfit in 25 words or less.
You can upload your photo below, email us at scoop@theage.com.au, text us on 0406 843 243 (0406 THE AGE) or use #theageselfie on Twitter and Instagram.
Here are the first entrants so start voting.
 
Only your name and caption will be published.
