Dubai 5 November 2005 (WAM)--- The races run today on EmiratesStakes Day marked the closing of the week-long Melbourne CupCarnival held at the Flemington Racecourse in Australia.
The airline has been the Principal Sponsor of the Stakes Day,popularly referred to as the "Emirates Day", for the past eightyears. The Emirates Day is a firm favourite for its family-orientatedatmosphere replete with competitions, children's games, and entertainmentfor all age groups.
In addition to sponsoring the race day itself, the airline wasalso a major sponsor of three eagerly-awaited activities on theday: the Emirates Stakes, the Emirates Airline Welter Race andthe Emirates Kids Fashions on the Field competition.
The feature race of the day, the Emirates Stakes, saw a closeand exciting finish with Valedictum ridden by Steven King, pippingeverybody to the post, just ahead of Infinite Grace and ShaniaDane.
The Emirates Airline Welter race run over 1400m had Cargo Cultridden by Nicholas Ryan and trained by Colin Anderson surgingahead of Botero and Shadowmaker.
Emirates Kids Fashions on the Field, a major feature of the MelbourneCup Carnival, offered youngsters a chance to step out in styleand be in the running for some fabulous prizes, including a familytrip to Auckland on Emirates. A record number of youngsters turnedup to show off their fashion sense this year and the celebrityjudges had a tough time deciding on the final winners. Mia Adamsonand Massey Heathcote were crowned in the junior category whileCassie Lowe and Andrew Clifforth won in the teen category.
Emirates' continued to be the most covetable of marquee invitations,entertaining the who's who and glitterati guests, whilst generatinga real buzz trackside. Inspired by the airline's exotic destinationof Casablanca, the marquee featured Moorish archways, Moroccanartefacts, authentic artisan-crafted furniture, and an internalcourtyard complete with a rose petal-filled fountain and palmtrees.
Emirates integrated the twin themes of the Stakes Day and theirown marquee when they invited guests to take part in the silentauction of a painting by artist Rachel Black, titled "MoroccanCourtyard", the proceeds of which will be donated to the RoyalMelbourne Children's Hospital.
The marquee's ambience and unrivalled hospitality were a hitwith guests including, Jane Turner from one of Australia's highestrating TV programs, blues singer Renee Geyer, and stars of thesmall screen Sharni Vinson, Jason Smith and Jodi Gordon. Celebritymilliner Phillip Rhodes looked favourably upon guests for theirchoice of millinery style, and Jenny Hoo, winning designer ofMyer Fashions on the Field admired guests' fashion sense. TonySantic, owner of Emirates Melbourne Cup winning horse, and hisfamily relaxed in the Moroccan courtyard and the mix was completewith other colourful attendees including John Elliott and OppositionLeader, Robert Doyle.
Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial OperationsEast Asia and Australasia who presented the trophies said: "TheEmirates Stakes Day is an integral part of the Melbourne CupCarnival and offers us a unique opportunity to finish the eventon a high note. It's been an exceptionally wonderful week andthe Emirates Stakes Day, wrapped up in fashion, fun, a family-feel,and sporting glory, has capped it all. Emirates is thrilled totake part in an event associated with such prestige and history." Emirates provides 42 weekly passenger services from Dubai toAustralia - fourteen per week to Sydney and Melbourne, and sevenper week to Brisbane and Perth.
Emirates, one of the world's fastest-growing international airlines,has a strong track record of sponsoring prestigious internationalsporting events. As one of the premier international horse-racingevents, the Melbourne Cup Carnival has proven to be the perfectlong-term partner and Emirates will raise the benchmark againboth on and off the track in 2006.
