2009 Melbourne Cup Report
By Tony Scimonello
The Melbourne Cup is a 149 year old Australian Icon, it is the race that brings every corner of the nation to a stop.
This year The Australia Society Tokyo’s 8th annual Melbourne Cup Event was held at The Grand Hyatt Hotel Tokyo attended by 165 guests, organisers Jodie Riley and Tony Scimonello had the day kick off at 11.00 am.
The Ball room of the Grand Hyatt hotel was like being back home at the races, ladies dolled up to the nines wearing stylish hats and outfits, men in suits with yellow rose button holes the traditional flower for the Melbourne cup and this year being a public holiday we saw more men attending at the event which is normally held on a working day.
Chef Budde and his culinary team at the Grand Hyatt had guests dining on Confit of Hokkaido salmon, Pearl barley risotto of seasonal mushrooms and the main course of slow cooked lamb shank on creamy mash potato and lentils. Dessert was a decadent macadamia nut tart and ice cream, topped of with mini lamingtons and coffee.
Beverages where free flowing with Domain Chandon sparkling wine, Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and Green point shiraz,
The race was telecast via the internet, courtesy of Jim Edstein from DSTVASIA www.dstvasia.com.
This year’s Fashion Show by up and coming Australian designer Leanne Yew www.tokyokaleidoscope.com was sponsored by Tokyo Physio.
Andrew Dunlop the MC had people bidding for the Calcutta, followed by “Our Bookie” Rick Bower that had punters keen to place a bet on the race. Fashion on the Fields best dressed lady was Laura Greenshields, Best dressed male was Stephen Greenal.
Kerry Raftis of Kesyshots photography captured the day’s events busily snapping away. Please check out the photos at: http://keyshots.smugmug.com/Events/2009-Events/Melbourne-Cup-Grand-Hyatt
The Australia Society Tokyo would not be able to bring you this fabulous event or other events which raise money for charity if it were not for the support of our sponsors. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following:
Qantas Allied Pickfords ANZ
Grand Hyatt Tokyo ANA Intercontinental American Airlines
The Peninsula Sin Den Banner Japan
Phoenix Hotel Oakwood Boudoir
Tokyo Physio Gold Salon Beaute Absolue
National Azabu