fashion

The 8 things that inevitably happen during a day at the races.

The frocks, the champagne, the celebrities — spring racing season should be the epitome of glamour.

Yet between clamouring for a picnic spot, queuing for drinks, and standing at the mercy of whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at you, the realities of any day spent at the races tend to be anything but glamorous.

1. Weather woes, regardless of the forecast.

Rain, hail or shine, there are always going to be complications with an outdoor semi-formal event. In the event of relentless rain, the marquees, bars and every other undercover spaces are completely packed. No umbrella is going to save you (or your hair) from getting sprayed when you duck between these areas.

Relentless sunshine also has drawbacks. The warm sun is delightful… until it’s turning your skin to the colour of your rosé because no one remembered to pack the sunscreen. There’s also the unfortunate glare that leaves you stuck with photos featuring either squinty eyes, or out-of-place sunnies.

Don't even get us started on the inevitable fascinator-induced headaches. Image: iStock

2. The struggle of walking in heels on grass.

We've all, at some point, committed to stilettos despite knowing the skewed comfort vs style factor will leave us barefoot with heels in hand by the end of the day.

Doing this on race day means you've also committed to sinking into the grass with Every. Single. Step. You look on with envy at that girl who decided to wear wedges. Damn her and her practical shoe choice.

Getting stuck in the grass is unavoidable. (Image via iStock.)

3. Claiming a picnic spot is INVOLVED.

You thought you were clever bringing a rug and a basket, and quite thrifty bringing your own snacks for a trackside picnic. Of course, nearly everyone else also had that clever idea (some even brought chairs and an esky) and you are all clamouring for your own patch of grass on by the finish line.

Once you have managed to find a space just big enough for picnic rug, someone needs to stay there all day - which is not so bad when you want to give your feet a rest... or escape the next shout.

4. The love/hate relationship with your headwear.

One one hand, that intricate black lace headband compliments your dress and takes your outfit from simple to stunning. On the other hand, it's a pain in the neck - sometimes literally. You end up fixing it umpteen times in the bathroom because the 50 bobby pins you stabbed in there to hold it in place just weren't enough.

Hats are no better. You're grateful for the face shade when your friends are complaining of sunburn, but then your brim catches the wind. There's also zero chance of taking it off later when you head to the pub (three words: greasy hat hair).

Watch: We bust the four biggest foundation myths to ensure your races makeup is on point. (Post continues after video.)

5. A picnic is a great idea... until it isn't.

Speaking of fashion choices that aren't always so clever: your pencil skirt seemed like a great idea until you had to bend down and sit on a rug in it.

Eating at the picnic you successfully created is not always easy. Yes, you packed the cheese, dips and bickies - and strawberries for the bubbly - but what about the cutlery? And the plates? Now you're breaking biscuits as you attempt to scoop the sun-melted camembert out of the packet and then carefully avoiding spilling crumbs on yourself and your dress.

6. Gazing longingly at the exclusive areas, and contemplating how you might sneak in.

Unless you're Jesinta Campbell or Nikki Gogan, you were not invited into an exclusive marquee. You did not arrive in a limo and you will not be served canapes and cocktails while rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.

You know you'll never be one of those special people, but you sure can dream. You and your mates can also scheme as to how you can schmooze or trick your way in, knowing you'll never have the guts to actually try it. (Hey, those guards look big!)

The Bachelor runner-up Nikki Gogan has flawless race day style. (Post continues after gallery.)

Nikki Gogan Racing Style Files

7. Battling the sleepiness caused by day drinking.

Drinking during the day is fun, and there's nothing more delightful than the warm sunshine on your back as you sip on a refreshing beer or glass of wine.

But that slow sipping, combined with that warm sunshine, can make your picnic rug look like quite a nice place for a nap...

8. The thrill/anxiety/confusion of placing a bet.

Everybody has their methods for picking a winner, whther it be the horse with the most clever name, the jockey with the most appealing colour of shirt, or the form of the fillies leading up to race day.

But whether you've analysed the statistics or are going on "feeling", picking the horses is only half the battle. Do you want to bet to win, place or each-way? Put money on a boxed trifecta? Back yourself to pick an exacta? The touch-screen machine has an overwhelming number of options and you stuff it up at least once before you successfully place a bet.

Then one of those horses you picked actually does win! But once you factor everything and return your ticket, you realise you're actually only $2 up.

And, like any racegoer, you celebrate anyway.

All the fashion from Melbourne's Caulfield Cup.

Caulfield Cup 2016

What's your favourite part of a day at the races?

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Top Comments

Ally 8 years ago

You forgot to add "casually ignoring that a horse is likely to die or be injured on race day".

Surely there are other occasions where you can frock up without animals having to perform for your entertainment.


Zepgirl 8 years ago

I'm not sure I could think of an event that I am less likely to ever attend than any sort of horse racing / fashion stakes / picnics and champagne style soiree that involves long walks in high heels, overpriced dresses and sh*tty alcohol. At least at the Academy Awards you get to sit down!