Although they’re a necessary element to the day, everyone knows the races are not just about the horses.
The races offer a rare chance for those to dress in their absolute best, flaunting extravagant headwear, myriad floral prints, stunning heels and accessories.
Despite grey clouds, ferocious wind and persistent misted precipitation, that is precisely what 2022 Sale Cup guests did.
The lawns of Sale Turf Club were inundated with stunningly dressed guests; all-white outfits were in abundance as brave race-goers strutted the dampened grounds and radiant blocks of colour stood out against the green grass canvas.
Marquees lined the racecourse tents; at the far end of the race day entrance, the Fever-Tree Marquee, neighboured by the Jack Ryan’s Country Club Marquee.
This year Jack Ryan’s Irish Bar collaborated with Sale Turf Club, combining the two popular marquees and teaming up with Cloud Cuckoo Island and Victoria Hall to create one grand marquee. With live music from Nathan Lambourn, an abundance of food, and drinks galore, the Country Club Marquee was a popular place to be.
Jack Ryan’s owner Wil Brady had ‘lots’ to say about the day.
“It was good,” Mr Brady said.
The fully booked Laurels boasted their newly renovated deck, a perfect position to hear the thundering sounds of horses as they sprinted toward the finish line.
Next door at the elevated bar, every race featured suited men leaning over the railings, arms flailing as they shouted for their pick down the home stretch.
Closest to the entrance, next to the public bar, guests enjoyed private marquees, offering a range of gourmet finger food, a private bar and a prime of the mounting yard.
Thousands filed through the Sale Turf Club gates on Sunday for the first Sale Cup in two years.
Situated between the Laurels and the Country Club Marquee, the renowned and ever-popular Fashions on the Field stage, was brought to the Sale Cup by Victoria Hall.
Host of the sought-after event, owner of Victoria Hall, Sarah Churchill, said they were thrilled with the enthusiasm and positive atmosphere in the Victoria Hall Fashions Enclosure.
“Almost 50 ladies competed for our top prize, and the calibre of fashion was amazing,” Mrs Churchill said.
“Together with the Turf Club Committee, we are looking forward to continuing to develop the fashions enclosure into a space that celebrates the colour and fun of the spring racing carnival.”
Judges Kelly Carty, Keegan O’Brien and Karlie Mohr awarded Catherine Noy as the 2022 Sale Cup ‘Best Dressed Lady’, and Holly Webb was voted runner-up. Karlie Butler, wearing her own label, Jettah and Till was awarded the Millinery Award.
After coming second in the previous Fashion on the Field competition, Lonigan Milham was named ‘Best Dress Gentleman’.
“I was dressed by David’s Menswear, Leanne from David’s Menswear (in Sale),” Mr Milham said. The dapper-dressed winner attributes his victory to the addition of his personal accessories.
“Without the Rolex, I wouldn’t have won,” Mr Milham said, showing off his golden wrist-bling.
Sale Racing Club chairman David Wilson, who has been with the club for 30 years, the past 12 as chairman, was enraptured by the 2022 Sale Cup turnout.
“Fantastic to have a crowd back on the track today, it has been three years since we’ve had a Sale Cup, and to see the young ones back out on course,” Mr Wilson told the Gippsland Times.
“I went for a walk earlier, the marquees and The Laurels, it was absolutely chockers; it would be bigger than Good Friday (around 3500).
“It is probably the best track in Gippsland, you can go further, Damien Oliver reckons it is the best country track in Australia,” Mr Wilson said. “He classes it on the Flemington Straight, so you have to have a very good horse that can win at Sale that straight, and they’ll go on and win in Melbourne and win good races.
“We had a horse here that won on February 13 2022, Giga Kick, and went on to win The Everest at $15 million, the biggest sprint race in the world, absolutely brilliant.”
This year’s Sale Cup delivered a special guest appearance, the notable Melbourne Cup.
“We’ve had the Melbourne Cup in Gippsland three times now, very, very lucky,” Mr Wilson said. “It is all probably because of Patrobas, down at Rosedale, the horse that won the Melbourne Cup many, many years ago, so it has been to Rosedale three times. It is fantastic to even get the Cup once, to get it three times…”
The 2022 Sale Cup and all its success would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Sale Turf Club committee.
“Brad (Evans) our CEO, has done a great job, all his staff, we have a great committee, they have been with us a long time and they are all fantastic,” Mr Wilson said.
“They all know their own jobs and what to do, just a wonderful club to be with.”
