EVENT- Brothers Cairns Cup Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th August

Spend this weekend wisely as it’s your last chance to get your outfits sorted for the Brothers Cairns Cup. Held next Saturday and Sunday (the 9^th and 10^th of August), Cannon Park with come alive with two great days of racing and fashion. Each day of racing has its own Fashions on the Field competition with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. The golden rule for anyone entering Fashions on the Field at either day of the Brothers Cairns Cup is to remember it is a trans-seasonal winter carnival. What this means if you’re feeling a bit confused is to avoid wearing obvious summer fashion or headwear. I (Angela) am very excited to be representing OTOT on the Fashions on the Field judging panel on Cairns Cup Sunday and I can’t wait to jump on a plane and head up to FNQ! Make sure you keep reading and click on the links to get all the full details for the judging criteria and to register online. In a nutshell here are the details for Fashions on the Field.Saturday 9^th August. Brothers Cairns Cup Myer Ladies DayThere are two categories with the major prize $3000 in Myer Vouchers and a trip for two along the East Coast from Sassi Shoe Boutique. There are also addition prizes from other fashion sponsors for the finalists. The registration desk opens at 11am and closes at 12.15. The competition with be completed by 2pm.Myer Lady of the Day 12.30pmMyer Millinery of the Day 1.00pmFurther details and to pre-register CLICK HERESunday 10^th August. Brothers Cairns Cup SundayThere are three categories with the major prize $4200 from Babinda Electrics, Property Law Solutions, Bragg Real Estate and $1000 in vouchers from Tea Lily on Grafton Street. There are also addition prizes from other fashions sponsors for finalists. The registration desks opens at 12 noon and closes at 1.15pm. The competition will be completed by 2.30pmClassic Ladies Racewear Award 1.30pmUnder 35’s Contemporary Ladies Racewear Award 2.00pmMost Stylish Couple Award- Immediately following the U35’s Contemporary Ladies category.For further details and to pre-register CLICK HEREI am so looking forward to being able to see some great trans-seasonal racewear and leave freezing Melbourne to see the fabulous fashions up north. Having attended the races in Cairns on a number of occasions I know how high the fashion standard is and am excited to experience a winter Carnival in Far North Queensland.If you aren't familiar with the Fashion on the Field in Cairns, I would recommend booking a ticket in the fashion marquee for the best view of all the catwalk action.Myer Fashionable Fillies LunchCairns Cup High TeaI am so looking forward to being able to see some great trans-seasonal racewear and leave freezing Melbourne to see the fabulous fashions up north. Having attended the races in Cairns on a number of occasions I know how high the fashion standard is and am super excited to experience a winter Carnival in Far North Queensland.By Angela Menz

Angela's Top 5 Ladies Style and Racing Moments for 2013

5. Failing The Members Fashion Test.In the past week there have a been a couple of articles in the news (link & link) about women being asked to leave the members area at the race track for not adhering to the members dress codes. In both instances the women were spoken to due to complaints from fellow race goers. This makes the list because I think this is a problem that we will be seeing much more of in the coming months.Members dress codes and fashion haven't kept up to date with each other. With women being encouraged to dress in the latest fashions by race clubs, fashion magazines and retail outlets it doesn't make sense to me that members dress regulations currently don't allow many of the latest fashions to be worn. Celebrities flouting the dress codes are celebrated for their impeccable style, yet members who pay their fees each year have been left red-faced for wearing outfits that are far more modest. I also find it a little sad that there are members who are so offended that they can actually be bothered to have another member ejected from their line of view. Watch this space...4. Zara PhillipsThe Olympic silver medallist and member of the Royal family was appointed the Magic Millions Racing Women Ambassador for 2013. She attended the carnival early this year and it was announced in late October that she will continue in this role until 2018 (link). All very exciting news, but what pushed Zara Phillips on this list is her outfit from Ladies Day at Glorious Goodwood. Whilst sporting a baby bump she nailed racing style looking modern, feminine and appropriate for a day out at the races. This is how you do maternity racewear.3. Black CaviarFormer Vogue covergirl and owner of a large round rump, Black Caviar raced her way into the history books by getting 25 consecutive wins at the track- including 15 group 1 races. She also managed to collect the title of Australian Racehorse of the Year for the third time in 2013 and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Enjoy your retirement Nelly, you've earned it!2. Myer Fashions on the Field National CompetitionWithout a doubt this is the ultimate and most prestigious competition in the world of fashions on the field. Winners from each state and an online people's choice award winner came together in the national final on Oaks Day at Flemington. Model, Chloe Moo from Sydney walked away with the sash and keys to her new car. With the competition starting all over again in a couple of weeks contestants will have a tough time trying to top this years victor.1. Gai WaterhouseOne of the most stylish ladies at the track, 2013 was Gai's year. After a rocky start to 2013 with public spats in the press, things turned around when her horse Fiorente went into the Melbourne Cup as one of the favourites. Having never won a Melbourne Cup race in her impressive career it came down to a nail biting finish! In the 3200 meter 'race that stops a nation' Fiorente, trained by Gai took the win by three quarters of a length from Red Cadeaux. Gai is the first Australian female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup. I hope this is the first of many for her.By Angela Menz

Caulfield: Carnival Preview Day Wrap

On Saturday the Melbourne Racing held their Carnival Preview day at Caulfield. There was free entry and the sun was (mostly) shining so I headed off to the track for another day of fashion and racing. There were three heats for the Chadstone Fashion Stakes across three sections of the competition. There weren't major prizes up for grabs, but winners from the day have each won a coveted spot in the finals for their section. The host for the day was Melanie Vallejo from Winners and Losers on Channel 7 and judges for the day included Emily Power and Caulfield Style Ambassador Erika Heynatz,First up for the day was the Stylish Over 40s Ladies heat. There were a limited number of entrants, with only 10 women for this section. I speculate that more entrants are put off from coming and entering in the earlier heats because if you win a spot in the grand final you have to return in three weeks time in the exact same outfit. Numbers may have been down, but the quality of the entrants was good with a couple of women missing out that I thought had a very good chance of making the final.

By Angela Menz