Fashions on the Field interstate finalists, left to right, Amy Robinson (NSW), Lou Mallari (online people's choice award), Tricia Molachino (Tasmania), Sarah Bremmer (Queensland), Emma Reynolds (WA) and Cathrin Gill (SA). Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
Jennifer Hawkins and Derby Day favourite, It's A Dundeel, at Flemington. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE'S biggest week in racing doesn't just stop this nation.
Experts have credited the strength of the Australian racing industry with grabbing global attention.
As millions watch around the world, thousands will head to Flemington, and insiders are hailing the return of a carnival atmosphere not seen for decades.
It starts today with a sell-out crowd of 120,000 to see if Kiwi raider It's A Dundeel can live up to expectations in the Victoria Derby.
The hype will continue for the next seven days as the Flemington carnival generates an estimated $355 million for Victoria, and one in five spectators is from interstate or overseas. The Spring Racing Carnival itself is expected to net more than $678 million for the state.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Damien Oliver said there was nothing like it anywhere in the world.
"It catches people's attention like no other race," he told the Herald Sun. "In other countries racing targets the wealthy, but here it's for everybody. It's got a long history and people have grown up watching it.
"It's a strong part of the nation's history."
Bookies said Australian racing had leapt ahead of the global market with cutting-edge betting safeguards. The huge success of home-grown sprinters overseas had also shifted interest to the local market.
Betstar.com.au's Alan Eskander said that our home-grown industry had raised the bar.
"Even Royal Ascot doesn't generate the buzz in Melbourne at this time of the year," Eskander said. "The whole city embraces it and I would argue it is the best carnival on the world stage.
"The diversity of the crowd is something you just don't see anywhere else. At Ascot, it's an affluent experience and not something that engages all society. At Flemington it's a true cross-section of the community."
Model and former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins said she was excited about the big races just like everyone else.
"There's a bit of work involved, but really I'm here to have a good time," she said.
Attending her sixth Melbourne Cup Carnival as the face of Myer, Hawkins never fails to turn heads in an array of stunning outfits and eye-catching millinery.
"I started (organising outfits) early this year. I've just had my final fittings," Hawkins said.
The blonde beauty, who will step out in a custom-made Manning Cartel ensemble today, will be a judge at the national final of Myer Fashions on the Field on Oaks Day.
This year is the 50th anniversary of Fashions on the Field.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, top this year's special guests, which include Nicole Kidman, Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall, Tour de France hero Cadel Evans and Olympic gold medallists Sally Pearson and Anna Meares.
Racing Minister Denis Napthine said the carnival cashed in on the fact Australian racing was the best managed in the world.
"It used to be the race that stops a nation, now it's the carnival that brings the world's attention to Melbourne," he said.
"And it's typically Australian that our biggest and best race is a handicap and everybody gets a fair go."
Bookmaker Tom Waterhouse said Melbourne was an established event city and the carnival was pivotal.
"The whole of Australia stops but now a big chunk of the world stops, too. That has a lot to do with the great stayers that are coming here but also because spectators have seen how well it's done," Waterhouse said.
He said the success of Australian sprinters such as Black Caviar had shifted focus to the local industry and taken racing to a new generation.
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