Trainers at the track. How Sydney is rewriting racewear rules

Traditional racewear is being reimagined in Sydney, but still your best bet in Melbourne. Racewear competitions have been slowly phased out of major Sydney race days by the Australian Turf Club with a social media mention the only recognition at Rosehill’s Golden Slipper on Saturday. While some have questioned the move, the shift away from traditional racewear competitions is outweighed by growing ticket sales at the ATC.

“Our general admission audience continues to grow, and they continue to break the traditional rules of racewear fashion,” says Donna Forbes, head of commercial at the ATC, which oversees Randwick and Rosehill racecourses. “Comfort is key to our younger audience.” “We are seeing people in the general admission areas wearing Australian designer dresses and Reeboks.



We want people to know that you can turn up in shorts or a $700 dress.” Victoria Racing Club chief executive Kylie Rogers (left) with milliner and Fashions on the Field judge, Jill Humphries at Flemington Racecourse. Credit: Wayne Taylor Those with long associations with race day fashions, however, see things differently.

“It’s taking away the sense of occasion from the races,” said Sydney milliner Andrea Cainero of Somewhere Here hats. “People interested in racewear competitions now have to travel to Melbourne.” Matching hats and gloves are still on point in Melbourne, buoyed by the return of the Fashions on the Field competition after a 13-year absence at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday.

“Power to the ATC if they are going more casual, but our audience is telling us that they want to dress up,” says Kylie Rogers, chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club. “My vision is to bring the competition back for all three autumn race days next year. We may even open it up to all of our Group One days.

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