While four-legged athletes, like She Will Reign, will have the opportunity to win $10 million in prizemoney, two-legged punters at Saturday's The Everest will have the opportunity to take home more than $20,000 in cash and products, just for getting dressed.
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The Fashion Chute is an Australian Turf Club event and concept which aims to revolutionise and democratise the hallowed horse racing tradition of Fashions on the Field. This weekend two-return flight tickets to any of Emirates' European destinations and a Longines timepiece are just some of the goodies on offer for the best-dressed guests.
On Saturday, instead of being scouted by judges before official judging begins, those interested in entering just need to pose for a photo at the Fashion Chute before eight finalists are selected to face the expert panel including GQ Australia and Stellar style director Kelly Hume and milliner Nerida Winter.
"I want the Sydney girls and guys to up the elegance," Winter said. "This is the most expensive horse race in the world, so I'm expecting full power and high, high-end fashion."
The hat designer to the stars said she expects Sydney to be better at the style stakes than racing folk from south of the border.
"This is Sydney," she said. "We have all the magazine girls and fashion houses here. It's going to be great, especially as it's a wonderful opportunity to support local labels and milliners."
Hume will be "looking for someone that stands out from the crowd".
"That doesn't mean their outfit needs to be the most flamboyant, but that their sense of style commands attention," she said.
Hume, who has officiated at one FOTF contest before, also is excited about Sydneysiders willingness to push the boundaries with their race-day attire and will judge accordingly.
"Flemington racegoers really stick to the race-day traditions – and for good reason. But Randwick isn't steeped in history just yet, so we feel we can have a bit more fun and push the boundaries a little," she said.
"If someone clearly looks incredible, they deserve to win, regardless of whether that dress has a spaghetti strap – and we are in Sydney after all."
Racing and fashion royalty Kate Waterhouse, who will be wearing the Unpredictaheel, a bespoke pair of shoes that directs the wearer from anywhere within the carnival to the betting ring via pulsing notifications, is looking forward to seeing Sydney's ladies and gents allowing their individual style to shine at the track this weekend.
"The theme for The Everest is white and baby blue, so I'll be opting for that colour scheme for this Saturday. But there are no rules when it comes to fabulous fashion. It's all about dressing to the nines and having a great day out. This season we are seeing textured, bright prints, yellows, pinks and reds. It makes you feel happy when you wear something bright and beautiful," Waterhouse said.
