Updated 13 September, 2018.

The Westport Club is the place to be on Melbourne Cup Day!

For all the glamour and excitement of Melbourne Cup Day, look no further than The Westport Club.

Where will you be watching the big race on Melbourne Cup Day? The Westport Club is celebrating Melbourne Cup Day in more ways than one and there is something to suit everyone, whether you’re looking for the full day experience, or perhaps something a little more casual.

Live it up at the Melbourne Cup Long Lunch

The Melbourne Cup Long Lunch is The Westport Club’s flagship event this Melbourne Cup Day. Your afternoon includes a delicious 3 course luncheon, 3 ½ hour beverage package, sweep stakes, onsite TAB facilities, best dressed prizes and of course, the race on the big screen! There will also be a photo booth for you to have some fun, and the event will be professional MC’d by Justin Hunt from DeBortoli wines. It’s sure to be a winning afternoon!

Head to Jimmy’s Bar & Lounge after lunch for a cocktail or to enjoy one of our drinks specials. We’ll also have live music to keep you entertained into the evening.

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Get the VIP treatment at Jimmy’s Bar & Lounge

You can enjoy all the fun and frivolity of the big race in a relaxed atmosphere, when you join us in Jimmy’s Bar & Lounge this Melbourne Cup Day.

This year for the first time, Jimmy’s is offering you the chance to get the VIP treatment. For just $30, you and up to 4 friends will receive reserved seating and your own exclusive bar area and designated bartender. Plus, you’ll also enjoy a bottle of Emeri Sparkling Pink Moscato on arrival, and a delicious cheese platter to nibble on throughout the afternoon. You can book for the Jimmy’s VIP Experience in-person at The Westport Club reception desk. Read more

Watch the race live on the big screen in Jimmy’s. If you’re not joining us for the VIP event, that’s no problem – stop in to Jimmy’s from 11am and you’ll be able to enjoy $5 glasses of Emeri Sparkling Moscato, $10 Sparkling Wine Cocktails and more.

We will also have plenty to keep you entertained including sweepstakes and fashions on the field. At the conclusion of the Melbourne Cup Race and winners’ award ceremony, get into the groove with relaxed tunes from our live DJ “Water & Bridges”.

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Emeri $5 per glass on Melbourne Cup Day at Jimmy's

Wine and Dine at Aqua Restaurant

Aqua Restaurant is open for lunch from 11.30am on Melbourne Cup Day and you can also enjoy a 2 course plated lunch for just $35 per person. The team will be offering glasses of Emeri Sparkling Pink Moscato for $5 to help you celebrate the day with bubbles! After lunch head to Jimmy’s Bar and Lounge to watch the race and continue the festivities with our live DJ entertainment throughout the afternoon.

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Relax with us at Hastings Coffee Co.

If relaxed and casual is more your style, then Hastings Coffee Co. is your place to go on Melbourne Cup Day! Come and grab a light grazing board from Hastings, featuring a selection of cold cut meats, cheese, pickles and condiments with a side of bread for just $16 for members.

We’ll also be pouring $4 Mimosas all day – perhaps a Champagne Breakfast might be on the cards?

What to wear

Looking for tips on what to wear this year? 2018 Melbourne Cup fashion tends to be leaning towards monochromatic looks, and bold colours are popular yet again. Frills, ruffles, shoulder detail, statement sleeves and assymetrical styles will all be a hit at Flemington this year. Adventurous fillies can also try clashing prints or for something more traditional (safe), go with classic black and white teamed with a hat or fascinator in a single block colour. Melbourne Cup really is the day to have fun with your style. Glam up your outfit with statement head wear such as hats and fascinators and even pop on a pair of oversized sunglasses – you’ll instantly feel like a million bucks!

Make your own fascinator

Fascinators and hats can be expensive, especially since trends can change and you might only wear this year’s hat once. So why not make your own? Try these DIY tutorials and make your own stylish head gear at home!

How to pick a winning horse

Did you know that the art of picking the potential winner of a horse race, is referred to as Handicapping a Horse? Us neither.  For most, Melbourne Cup Day is the one day of the year they place a bet on the horses. In fact, we’re willing to bet (pardon the pun) that most of us have no clue how to pick the winning horse!

A quick poll on Facebook told us that most people have a system of picking, but it’s not necessarily very scientific…

“I pick the one that sounds like it could be the following day’s newspaper headline”.

“I close my eyes, twirl my finger over the top, choose 3, back each way and pray for the best!”.

“My Gran won a bunch of money one year because she bet on “Saintly”. She said it sounded very Christian”.

“I look at what horse I got allocated in the office sweeps, and pick any horse but that one!”.

“We pick based on the colour of the jockey’s silks”.

“I always put $10 each way on Number 5″. 

Horses racing at Melbourne Cup

Trialled and tested methods

But what is the actual recommended way to pick a winning horse? Here are some tips on how to decide whether a horse has potential to win on Melbourne Cup Day. And yes, you’ll have to do some reading in order to work this out – so if you can’t be bothered doing research, maybe just try one of the above tips!

  1. Historical wins – has the horse recently had success running a race of a similar distance?
  2. Pick a horse that performs well under today’s conditions. For example, if it is raining on Melbourne Cup Day, does this horse handle a wet track well?
  3. Find out if the horse is travelling a long way from another track. It can indicate that the horse has potential as it’s a big investment for the owner.
  4. Favourite status – horses recently picked as favourites can potentially be about to peak.

These are just some indicators that can help you pick a horse. Try some of these tips on Melbourne Cup Day to see if your choice brings a win!

Melbourne Cup day is a day that can be enjoyed by all, whether you’re into the horse races or just enjoy a day out.

So frock up, gather your fillies together and head to The Westport Club for a fun-filled afternoon! Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your Melbourne Cup Day at The Westport Club.

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