Inside the Derby Day Birdcage: Ley steers clear of fashion critiques

It’s back to the Birdcage for the nation’s pollies.

After avoiding Flemington for the last few years, politicians of all persuasions decided this year was the year to return trackside.

Sussan Ley avoids Joy Division fashion faux pas

On the top floor of the Crown marquee, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley sipped a glass of champagne with her daughter, Isabel Smith.

Ley managed to alienate large sections of the Australian population by criticising Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Joy Division band T-shirt, but was more diplomatic when asked about the fashion at Derby Day.

“I’ve noticed that Derby Day has its own special plans and special supporters, it is unique,” she said. “I think that it is a terrific day for Melburnians to celebrate their beautiful city and the beautiful spring racing carnival.”

Ley was wearing a white sheath dress by designer Rebecca Valance and said she was enjoying the race day but had no hot tips for betting at this stage.

“I am studying the form guide closely.”

On the ground floor, state Finance Minister Danny Pearson was talking up Derby Day next to Crown’s tower of 500 champagne glasses.

“It’s Melbourne at its finest, it is going to be a fantastic day for racing and for the people of Melbourne,” Pearson said.

The state government has just pumped $1.79 million from the major racing events fund into Flemington’s entertainment and infrastructure, so we thought it was worth asking whether Pearson was going to leave the exclusive Birdcage to get down to the newly installed Elms stage.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing Icehouse later today, I will see how I go,” Pearson said.

For the record, Pearson’s favourite Icehouse song is Great Southern Land.

Federal Liberal MP Tim Wilson was enjoying the hospitality of beer giant Lion Nathan with husband Ryan Bolger.

Wilson quipped there were “net zero Nationals” in attendance at the track after members of the National Party withdrew support for net zero-degree climate change mandates from their federal policy platform.

However, Wilson said the influx of politicians to Flemington was a one-day wonder, with all federal politicians returning to Canberra for the rest of the week.

“We have a philistine of a prime minister who is insisting on parliament sitting this week, so this is our only day here,” he said. “It’s very anti-Melbourne.”

White Lotus on black and white Derby Day

It’s not Derby Day without a celebrity or two in attendance, and actress Michelle Monaghan brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to Flemington.

The Mission Impossible actor most recently starred in the third season of The White Lotus and attended as a guest of Lexus, where she watched the races from its three-storey marquee with sweeping views of the track.

Over in the Nine marquee, Golden Bachelor host Samantha Armytage laughed off gossip magazine reports of a blossoming romance between her and the show’s bachelor, Barry “Bear” Myrden.

“If I stand next to a pot plant, they say I am dating the pot plant,” she said.

Armytage says there is no such shocking plot twist on the Golden Bachelor.

“I promise you I do not end up with the Golden Bachelor,” she said. “He does find love, but it is not with me.”

Nine is the broadcast partner and owner of this masthead.

Rest day at the races

The exclusive enclosure was filled with sports stars, led by retired jockey Michelle Payne back at Flemington Racecourse, almost exactly a decade after the historic win that catapulted her to sporting fame.

Walking through the busy entrance to The Birdcage, the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner was greeted by a flurry of reporters and cameras. She’s a big deal around these parts.

“I could take you through it like it was yesterday,” Payne said of her historic win. “But so much has happened … [It’s] just amazing, to think here we were, taking the Melbourne Cup.”

Payne’s visits to Flemington Racecourse will always bring fond memories of riding a winning horse at the iconic carnival.

“It’s just that feeling of anticipation … and excitement. You’ve got the best of the best here in everything,” Payne said. “It’s just like nothing else around the world. It’s really special … I feel like a princess.”

Sailor Jessica Watson was playing it safe for her champagne opening duties after discovering to her peril earlier in the week that opening a bottle without getting drenched in it is at times trickier than keeping a yacht upright in stormy seas.

Watson was soaked from head to toe by the bottle of champagne at the unveiling of The Birdcage enclosure on Thursday.

The sailor who circumnavigated the globe at the age of 16 said she had rethought her opening technique, joking that an umbrella was an option.

Watson said she was looking forward to the racing and was enjoying the day in the Mumm marquee, which has a yacht club theme this year complete with portholes and life buoys.

“It’s amazing already, and it’s just getting started,” Watson said.

AFL footballers also came out in droves, busy enjoying the relatively calm period between trade season and the draft. Among the players in attendance were Max Gawn, Josh Daicos, Kai Lohmann, Jy Sympkin and Patrick Lipinski.

Former player turned internet star Dan Gorringe was also spotted smiling for the cameras at the entrance to The Birdcage. Western Bulldogs tall Rory Lobb was all smiles trackside, having recently returned from an overseas honeymoon with new bride Lexi.

The couple will also make an appearance at Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday, before jetting off to attend a wedding in the Maldives the next day. Talk about a quick turnaround.

Collingwood footballer Josh Daicos and fiancee Annalise Dalins were headed for the Mumm marquee.

Dalins was in an all-white ensemble with a strapless mini dress by Oglia-Loro Couture and Embellish Atelier millinery, with her outfit styled by Paul Versace.

“It’s the day that kicks off the Melbourne racing carnival,” she said “I’m just excited to be here to see everyone to be a part of the atmosphere.”

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