Cup day action on and off field

As South West jockey Damian Lane prepares for his third-straight $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) appearance, the Bunbury Turf Club will host thousands in one of its biggest days on the racing calendar.

Club chief executive officer Alex Doble said he expected between 2000-3000 fans through the gates today.

“It is all depending on the weather but the forecast looks outstanding,” he said.

“Get here at 11am as the Melbourne Cup will be on the big screen from midday while we kick off shortly after.”

Doble said there was also a number of quality horses to race.

“There is obviously the challenges of having ourselves, Ascot and Geraldton running, but it is good to see eight races on the card,” he said.

The competitive racing will not be the only action on course, with the Fashions on the Field set to bring out the fashionable members of the South West.

CM Management director Tamara Dimov said she was expecting plenty of entries looking to claim big prizes.

Ms Dimov said the colour red was in fashion at the moment for women.

“Pastel colours from blush into pink, while frills are big. As are florals and also canary yellow,” she said.

“For hair it is classic shapes and modern textures. While in head-wear, crowns are big, as are turbans and floppy hats with big brims.”

Ms Dimov said dark blue was the fashionable colour for men.