Derby Day 2024 LIVE updates: Politicians not welcome in one high ...

Has Damien Oliver been damned with faint praise to have this group 2 support race named after him?

That’s one to ponder before you get stuck into the form.

The punters have this a race in two between Jimmysstar and Another Wil. Jimmysstar steps up in grade after an impressive win three weeks ago, while Another Wil is down in class after a poor showing in Antino’s extraordinary win in the Toorak at group 1 level.

There will be plenty of emotion if Another Wil gets up in the royal blue and lime silks of prominent owner and Warrnambool meat processing businessman Colin McKenna, who died on Sunday.

West Australian galloper Ripcord can improve at odds while Mighty Ulysses is worth following.

Friends Demi Brereton, daughter of champion jockey Danny Brereton and Fashions on the Field champion Debbie Brereton, and Tayla Broad, wife of Richmond defender Nathan Broad, were spotted outside the Crown marquee.

Demi Brereton and Tayla Broad.Credit: Melissa Singer

Wearing matching Forever New outfits, the pair were discussing hat trends. Brereton pointed to her embellished pillbox with a statement black-and-white bow, by Kim Fletcher, telling Broad:

“You know, pillboxes are really in this year”, to which Broad innocently replied: “What do people put in them?“

After sharing a laugh, Broad realised Brereton was referring to her hat, rather than a place to keep one’s, er, medication at the track.

A lack of audio on-track for that race meant spectators had to call it themselves, which made things interesting in such a tight finish.

Jordan Childs, who later in the week starts a suspension incurred on Cox Plate day, made the most of his chance on the Grahame Begg-trained Maharba to just hold off the desperately unlucky Ray Magnerio, who has just failed to run down the leader for the second start in succession.

Third placegetter Charm Stone showed promise, too, in a tough race.

The victory is good reward for Begg, who often has his horses peaking in Cup week.

By the way, it’s tough to fit in the press box, with colleague Andrew Wu tipping the winner at 16-1.

He has now tipped two of the first three winners and is calling himself “the Magic Man”.

In prime position in the Furphy marquee with a pot in hand, shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said it was his first time at Derby Day “for a couple of years”.

Littleproud was quick to note that he had paid his own way from Brisbane to Melbourne given the scrutiny prime minister Anthony Albanese is coming in for over his Qantas upgrades.

National Party David Littleproud and wife Amelia in the Furphy marquee on Derby Day at Flemington.Credit: Penny Stephens

“My wife and I paid to come down here,” he said.

“We didn’t claim anything, we’re staying, we’re paying for ourselves to be here because while it is work, there’s a lot of pleasure. So I’ve taken the decision that we are going to pay for our own flights and accommodation.”

Littleproud said Derby Day showcased how important racing was to the Victorian economy.

“Victoria probably does it better than anyone else, even though that might upset Peter V’landys,” he said.

Littleproud said he was not a big tipper so did not have much advice beyond “be good to your mother”.

Federal MP Dan Tehan, middle, in the Furphy marquee on Derby DayCredit: Penny Stephens

CBD heard that Tabcorp was holding the line on only offering official invitations only to clients and not politicians and, gasp, journalists.

What is Senator Bridget McKenzie to do?? Go to Furphy – probably.

Indeed, new-ish Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan was holding firm on the rule earlier in the morning when he was chatting to journalists at the Tabcorp marquee before heading off to the VRC committee room.

Dressed in the traditional committee room attire of tails, but minus the top hat McLachlan said he was looking forward to the day.

“It’s a great day’s racing, three group ones [races] here,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be part of it, the marquee looks great.”

Kathryn Conroy from Telstra, federal parliament speaker and MP Milton Dick, and Sarah Lovett from the Brewers Association of Australia in the Furphy marquee.Credit: Penny Stephens

When asked if punters would be betting a lot of money today McLachlan was more hesitant.

“Well people have fun,” he said.

“I mean that’s the point, it’s a day where, whatever you’re comfortable with, have fun. Follow the races, have a bet, if you do, bet with green. But if you don’t, enjoy an institutional day on the Melbourne calendar.”

But walk-ins to the marquee are another matter. CBD heard that TAB had a policy for that as well, a variation on the old one in and one out rules.

This was a one + one rule.

Drop in guests could stay for one drink and one race. And then outski.

Former MasterChef host Melissa Leong dressed for Derby Day with optimism in mind.

“I think that there’s a little bit of joy coming back to the way people are dressing and feeling.”

Melissa Leong.Credit: Eddie Jim

In a finely pleated dress from Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski, the fashion devotee is a stickler for racewear’s dress codes.

“I really like the rules because it gives a structure that you build around or at least subvert.”

The rules had slightly more structure than the dress, which took on a life of its own in the Flemington wind.

“It’s a bit feminine and a bit flirty and works really well in the breeze.”

This is another tough race. The best option might be to have a glass of the sponsor’s product instead of having a bet, but if you must ... the Grahame Begg stable has a habit of producing a Cup week winner at odds. Maharba might be it this year. As a three-year-old, he beat home the favourite Rey Magneiro four starts ago, and is likely to start double the price again after a very good return over 1100m at Caulfield. I’m marking him on top from Rey Magnerio, who rarely runs a bad race at this level. Last year’s winner Spacewalk should give it a shake again, while Schwarz is a deserved favourite.

Melbourne-born supermodel and actor Abbey Lee is following in some famous footsteps with her vintage Mugler dress.

“It was worn on the runway in 1989 by Iman,” Lee says, referring to the modelling legend who married rock star David Bowie.

Abbey Lee.Credit: Eddie Jim

“I feel like I’m stepping into very solid shoes.“”There’s structure and it’s very angular and it makes me feel strong. I like to feel strong.”

Lee was a special guest of Lexus, following in the supermodel footsteps of last year’s guest, Victoria’s Secret bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio.

Her femme fatale look was completed with a hat from British milliner Noel Stewart, slightly different from the black Akubra belonging to her date, her father and former VFL player Kim Kershaw.

Having recently seen his daughter star opposite Kevin Costner in the movie Horizons, Kershaw was brimming with pride in the Lexus marquee.

“She is amazing and I’m proud of all my children,” he says.

Trainer James Cummings opens his account for the carnival with Zeitung fishing strongly to claim the Vanity for jockey Mark Zahra.

Zeitung, the $5.50 co-favourite, came from back in the field to win and eased up on the line from Matisse and Sydney filly Dominetta.

It’s been a great start to the carnival for the big names of Australian racing. Cummings and Zahra join Chris Waller and James McDonald on the winners’ board.