Sydneysiders are well and truly celebrating the end of lockdown as they flock to the Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Everest – the city’s first major event in months.
Australia’s richest race has been allowed to host a maximum of 10,000 guests on Saturday after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet approved an exemption for the bigger crowd to attend the $15million event.
Major events are only allowed up to 5,000 guests under the current Covid-19 restrictions, but the boost to 10,000 is still well short of the 42,000 who packed Randwick in 2019 for the event.
Massive crowds were nowhere to be seen in Melbourne as the Caulfield Cup kicked into gear. The Caulfield Racecourse was next to empty with wet weather and heavy restrictions on outdoor gatherings prompting racegoers to stay at home.
But for many in Sydney it was finally an excuse to dress up after being stuck at home for four months with men rolling through the gates in their best suits and women donning an array of coloured dresses and headpieces.
One major difference from previous years is the latest fashion accessory of the face mask, with punters required to wear face coverings while indoors.
Sydneysiders are seen heading into the Royal Randwick Racecourse as they gear up for a day of races at The Everest
Two punters – one dressed in a classy blue jacket and another in a green dress – attend Royal Randwick on Saturday
Racegoers turn up for the first major event in Sydney since restrictions eased with thousands expected to head to The Everest on Saturday
The Everest marks the first time a major event has been held in Sydney since restrictions eased earlier in the week
Glammed-up racegoers pose for photos as the country’s richest race – The Everest – gets underway on Saturday afternoon
Some 10,000 punters are expected to attend The Everest – the country’s richest horse race – on Saturday
Ecstatic punters pose for photographs as the first major event since Sydney emerged from lockdown kicks into gear at Royal Randwick on Saturday
Group of Sydneysiders dressed to the nines and nursing beers pose for a photograph at Royal Randwick on Saturday
The 10,000 strong crowd is a welcome sight at Royal Randwick compared to the scaled-down Everest that was hosted last year during tough Covid restrictions
A woman wearing an emerald green is seen enjoying a day out at The Everest carnival
Massive crowds were nowhere to be seen in Melbourne as the Caulfield Cup kicked into gear with a near empty racecourse seen on Saturday
All racegoers will need to show proof of vaccination on entry and under the Australian Turf Club’s Covid-safe protocols, guests will be restricted to one every four square metres.
Rapid antigen testing will be set up for trainers and jockeys when they arrive on the course while the owners of the horses will not be allowed to visit the raceday stalls.
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club argued that because the event is mainly outdoors – where the virus is less likely to spread – it should be given the go-ahead.
A group of mates cheer as they watch the horses take to the track at The Tab Everest
Ladies dressed to the nines as they headed into the Randwick track on Saturday
A group of friends are seen strutting their stuff as they head into the Royal Randwick Racecourse
The day of races was full of celebrations for many as punters watched on with excitement
A bunch of Aussie celebs made appearances at The Everest on Saturday including former Sunrise host Sam Armytage with husband Richard Lavender
Married At First Sight’s Jules Robinson is seen enjoying a day out at The Everest carnival on Saturday. AFL star Heath Shaw is also pictured
Crowds of punters are seen watching on as the races kick off at The Everest on Saturday
Racegoers are seen on the edge of the track at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday as freedom finally returns to Sydney
The main event will kick off at 4.15pm but racegoers flocked in from early on Saturday morning to enjoy a day out
Sydneysiders were just happy to be out of the house as they flocked to the racetrack following months of being locked up at home
Strict Covid-19 rules have been set in place for the event with rapid antigen testing being set up for trainers and jockeys as they arrived
Crowds packed the grass near the racetrack on Saturday for Australia’s richest race
Police were seen making their way through the crowd ensuring everyone was complying with the rules as racegoers started to kick their heels up
A total of 10,000 people will be allowed at the highly anticipated event in Randwick
One man is seen cheering on the horses at The Everest on Saturday
AFL player Buddy Franklin wore a suave suit and sunglasses as he made his way into the racecourse
The massive crowd will be a welcome sight for organisers after they were forced drastically scale back numbers at the event in 2020.
Police were seen making their way through the crowd ensuring everyone was complying with the rules as racegoers started to kick their heels up.
Some other Aussie celebs also made their appearances such as television presenter Sonia Kruger, former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, AFL star Heath Shaw and Married At First Sight’s Jules Robinson.
Saturday’s event however got off to a tragic start with the announcement Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet had been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend its crown.
Crowds gather on the green as the Everest kicks off at Royal Randwick under sunny skies on Saturday
Tables have been set up on the green to seat some of the 10,000 spectators and follow Covid-safe protocols at the Everest
Sydneysider dressed in haute couture and a florid headband while attending Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday
One punter throws the peace sign as she lets her hair down to enjoy a sunny day out at the Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday
Spectator poses for a photograph while sitting on a lawn chair set up on the green near the racecourse at Royal Randwick
Racegoer rocks an all-pink ensemble with a wide brimmed hat while attending Royal Randwick on Saturday
One spectator cannot contain her excitement and shows off an empty flute glass while attending the first major event in Sydney in months
For most punters it would be the first time in months they were able to dress up after Sydney emerged from lockdown this week
Sydneysider opts for a trim, elegant white formal dress as she attends the Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday
A racegoer flaunts a classy pink coat as she attends The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday
Spectators enjoy a couple of drinks as thousands turn out for The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday
Glamorous racegoer takes a selfie as she walks with her friends into the Royal Randwick Racecourse to attend The Everest
Punters dress to the nines as they hit the Royal Randwick to watch the country’s richest race on Saturday
Sydneysiders wear face masks as they attend The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Saturday
A couple of dapper punters make a few hand gestures at the camera as they make their way into the Royal Randwick Racecourse
The stallion broke down 800m into its gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday, just hours before The Everest was due to kick off.
‘It is with great sadness to report that Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet has been euthanised after tragically breaking down in a track gallop this morning,’ the Moonee Valley Racing Club confirmed in a statement.
Co-trainer Ciaron Maher was at Moonee Valley as Sir Dragonet was one of 18 horses scheduled to go through their paces ahead of the Cox Plate carnival.
The horse reportedly faltered 800m into his gallop.
‘We’re heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanised on course,’ Ciaron Maher Racing said in a statement.
‘In the year that the Dragon has been in our care, he has won our hearts with his exploits both on and off the track.’
Sir Dragonet won the $5million Group 1 W.S Cox Plate last year. The champion stallion beat out Armory and Russian Camelot for the top gong.
This year marks the fifth year running for The Everest with Nature Strip tipped as the favourite for the main event which will kick off at 4.15pm.
Sydney copped 10mm of rain on Thursday night which could leave the racetrack soften than usual.
A dozen horses will face off for the starter, with the winner pocketing an eye watering $6.2million in prize money while second place will take home $2.3million.
The racecourse will welcome in 10,000 punters on Saturday after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet approved a higher attendance for the event
For many it was finally an excuse to dress up after being stuck at home for four months with men rolling through the gates in their best suits and women donning an array of coloured dresses and headpieces
Punters will need to show proof of vaccination upon arrival at the horse racing event while masks are mandatory indoors
Sydney copped 10mm of rain on Thursday night which could leave the racetrack soften than usual
Sydneysiders are well and truly celebrating the end of lockdown as they flock to the Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Everest
A racegoer chooses a classy all white ensemble as she attends The Everest at Royal Randwick, in Sydney, on Saturday
Major events are capped at 5,000 people under current Covid rules but 10,000 have been given the tick of approval to attend The Everest
The main event will start at 4.15pm on Saturday afternoon with Nature Strip tipped as the favourite
Racegoers are seen walking through the gates of the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday morning
Saturday’s event however got off to a tragic start with the announcement Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet (pictured) had been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend its crown