New and improved corporate Oaks Day, with a splash of times gone by

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As racing clubs such as Flemington’s Victoria Racing Club continue to grapple with the balance of tradition and innovation, Thursday’s time-honoured VRC Oaks reminded punters of bygone eras.

For the 12th time, a Cummings trained the winner. This year, it was James, grandson of nine-time winner Bart and son of last year’s winner Anthony, who claimed his second group 1 Oaks with the filly Zardozi.

Incredibly, for jockey James McDonald who has won nearly every group 1 race on the calendar, he claimed his first Oaks on Thursday – a race first run in the same year as the Melbourne Cup, in 1861.

Jockey James McDonald claims the Oaks for the first time.Credit: Racing Photos / Getty Images

The third of four race days in Cup week – once known as ‘Ladies Day’ but a notion the club no longer holds on to as it aims to progress with the times – drew a crowd of 46,596. Sydney’s Everest meeting last month drew 46,498 – a modern-day record at Royal Randwick, but still short of Thursday’s mark at Flemington.

“We’re delighted with a crowd today of 46,596, which is the third-biggest crowd anywhere on a racetrack in Australia this calendar year, only behind the Derby and Cup that preceded it a few days earlier,” VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said.

For Saturday’s Champions Day – formerly Stakes day, or colloquially known as family day – another 60,000 are tipped to attend Flemington, to take the overall crowd figure beyond 260,000 over the four days, surpassing the 240,000 who attended last year.

Fashion on the field at Flemington. Winners Eleanor Campbell and Domingo Martinez.Credit: Eddie Jim

Brands Schweppes and Furphy treated Oaks Day as a day for clients and customers. Whereas on Cup Day at the Furphy marquee, owner Lion played host to a raft of visiting federal politicians including Nationals leader David Littleproud, former Nationals leader Michael McCormack, Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley and Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer, at Oaks Day the marquee was filled with publicans and other customers of parent company Lion.

Schweppes dialled down on politicians in favour of a party atmosphere for guests which included Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who was later spotted at the Crown Casino rooftop just metres away from AFL boss Andrew Dillon enjoying a beers but not much luck with his betting.

In the Penfolds Pavilion, singer Mike Snell got the crowd, include Carlton Football Club chief executive Brian Cook and his wife Claire up on their feet.

“In the stands, in the committee room and in the Birdcage the deals that would have been done over history would be in the trillions.”

Earlier at Penfolds, Paul Guerra, chief executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, had dropped in. He attended Derby Day on Saturday, Cup Day on Tuesday as well as Oaks Day on Thursday, observing business executives interacting in the members stand, committee room and the Birdcage.

“Melburnians are the relationship experts,” said Guerra, who part-owns star racehorse Zaaki, who will try and go back-to-back-to-back in Saturday’s Champion Stakes.

“Sporting events bring Melburnians together and when there are sporting events that are world-class, you will find business people en masse.

“In the stands, in the committee room and in the Birdcage the deals that would have been done over history would be in the trillions.”

Guerra said this year was about business returning in force to spring racing and the atmosphere was “fabulous to see”.

“Oaks Day is the day you run into people. People relax a bit. Derby Day and Cup Day are the traditional race days. Oaks Day is a traditional corporate sponsorship and relationship day.

“Business people giving their views to politicians in a relaxed environment should help with decision-making.”

Englishman Nick Luck is one of the world’s most high-profile racing reporters. Having recently flown into Melbourne after attending the Breeders’ Cup in America, Luck has been to all the world’s biggest carnivals.

Pumped: In-form jockey James McDonald after winning the Oaks.Credit: Racing Photos / Getty Images

He believes the crowds at Flemington this week show racing still has a place in the sporting and entertainment calendar in Australia, and in fact, places Cup week comfortably alongside the likes of the five-day Royal Ascot carnival.

But he said Australian racing’s constant battle to stay relevant and meet its social licence is no different to other race clubs around the world. Whether it be equine welfare, the perception of whips, or simply attracting racegoers to the course on a working day, the same conversations are happening at other racing clubs globally.

“Each of the major racing jurisdictions are experiencing the same challenges to a greater or lesser degree,” he said.

“That’s fundamentally whether the sport can modernise and adapt to keep pace with changing values. Australia is no exception to that. You’ve seen debate about animal welfare, tightened veterinary protocols, and it’s a question of whether the sport can move fast enough, as fast as society is moving.

“It’s about being as inclusive and accepting as possible of as many people as possible.

“What I can see here suggests you are [moving with the times] because you’ve got an incredibly robust and enthusiastic crowd for outstanding sport and sport that’s run in a broadly safe and responsible way.”

The win by another Cummings in the Oaks was a flashback to times gone by, however.

Bart Cummings won the race a record nine times. Grandson James has now won twice in three years, winning with Willowy in 2021. James’ father Anthony won the race last year with She’s Extreme.

“All these group 1s are special. A time-honoured VRC Oaks, it’s going to go straight to the poolroom,” James Cummings said.

McDonald said it was a thrill to win one of the big features during Cup week, after claiming the Derby on Riff Rocket on Saturday.

“Derbies and Oaks, there’s something special about them,” he said.

“I’ve never won a VRC Oaks, and it’s a test of training ability, horsepower and obviously, you’ve got to execute pretty well because they’re immature still.

“My trainer’s a freak, he just set this horse for this race, and it’s paid off, and she had to do it, she’s a star filly, executed beautifully, bang, crash, whatever you want.”

Damien Oliver, a seven-time Oaks-winning jockey, finished third on Basilinna in his final Oaks before retirement.

“Had a beautiful run, and she moved up nicely in the straight, I thought I was a real chance, but the first two were just a little bit too strong for her over this distance this time,” Oliver said.

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