Ronan Keating @ Autore Melbourne Cup Launch November 2, 2010

Ronan Keating addresses guests at the Autore Melbourne Cup Launch to benefit Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at the Ivy Room on November 2, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.
& Altiyan Childs Performs At Autore Melbourne Cup Launch

Sydney races to catch up for Melbourne Cup razzle dazzle

November 02, 2010 9:00PM

WITH glamorous Melbourne summoning the Cup Day attention to herself yesterday, Sydney was looking like rather like a pouty, neglected sibling. At The Ivy, society queen Skye Leckie mustered the best turn-out of celebrities in Sydney for her Autore Melbourne Cup Lunch. X Factor judge Ronan Keating made an appearance and Deal Or No Deal host Andrew O'Keefe was MC.

The lunch raised funds for The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse and guests including Deborah Hutton and designer Wayne Cooper.

The mood was lighter at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth for Variety's 25th anniversary fundraiser.

MCs Sami Lukis and Glenn Wheeler entertained, Wheeler stripping to his undies and offering his outrageous suit for auction.

But the best location on the day was the Park Hyatt's Harbourkitchen Restaurant, where exclusive jewellery boutique Bunda entertained clients at an elegant lunch.

From: The Daily Telegraph

$18 horsey dress outclasses Oaks fashion
Thu Nov 4 2010

An $18 "horse dress" bought online has upstaged Melbourne's most stylish on the biggest fashion day of the spring racing carnival.

Colour and classic styles, with many women drawing their 1950s and 60s inspiration from the popular TV show Mad Men, were the order of Oaks Day at Flemington.

But Cairns resident Jaydee Paino stole the fashions on the field show - and the $100,000 in prizes - in her first time in the competition.

The 25-year-old bought her vintage outfit online for just $18 after typing in "horse dress".

When the steeplechase print dress arrived from Nashville, Tennessee, Ms Paino and friend Nigel Vogler took it apart and got to work transforming it into a 1950s style with a full skirt.

"I love the whole Mad Men style," Ms Paino said.

"I think it's so appropriate for a day at the races."

Supermodel Jerry Hall and daughter Georgia May Jagger, both wearing Vivienne Westwood, were the big celebrity drawcard for Ladies Day.

Posing for the cameras, Hall described Australian fashion as "gorgeous".

"We just got here but we've got our eyes out. Georgia and I have seen a few that we think are possible contenders."

The fashions on the field judges mingled with marquee guests before Hall, trailed by a minder armed with an umbrella, walked along millionaires' row in the exclusive Birdcage area.

After a cold and wet spring carnival, the rain stayed away on Thursday but most still came prepared for the cool 18 degrees.

Geelong milliner Melissa Laffy not only created headpieces for her friends Amanda Hille, Pia Dean and Brianna Bateup (her entry into the millinery awards) but also brought out jackets from her extensive wardrobe.

"We do love the horses but we like fashion," Ms Laffy said.

Another Geelong milliner, Rebecca Share, spent four days making a muted aqua/latte headpiece out of 60 metres of ribbon for Megan Hough to wear in the millinery competition.

"It's great to see just so much individuality, people have gone for so many different styles," she said of the fashions.

Over in the Lavazza marquee, former Baywatch babe Carmen Electra was revelling in being "treated like a queen" in Melbourne.

"It's fun to see everyone get decked out and dressed to the nines and the men as well," she said.

Irish singer Ronan Keating had such a blast at last year's Melbourne Cup that he opted for his first Oaks Day when he couldn't make it back to Flemington on Tuesday.

"I absolutely love it, you guys know how to do it in style," he said.


Earlier, Irish crooner Ronan Keating arrived in the Emirates marquee and chatted to royal Zara Phillips

ICI

Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia - 04 Nov 2010
http://www.rexfeatures.com/set/1244767

Keating talks of comeback down under
November 05, 2010



Oaks Day Ronan Keating. Picture: Fiona Hamilton. Source: HWT Image Library

AN extended stay Down Under has seemingly mended Ronan Keating's marriage woes, with the X Factor judge considering spending next year in Australia with his family.

Racing-mad Keating was at the Crown Oaks yesterday, having a day out with mates after his wife, Yvonne, headed home to Dublin so their children could return to school.

However, the family could soon be calling Australia their second home.

"I am thinking of coming out here next year and maybe doing a year here," Keating said.

"If the show (The X Factor) happens again next year I probably would do it (spend a year here).

"We have never talked about it (living in another country) until we came down here and loved it so much.

"I feel like an adopted son here, so I am very happy."

Keating, a keen racegoer and racehorse owner, gave the Melbourne Cup Carnival his seal of approval.

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"This is the best horse racing event in the world," he said.

"I have been to a lot of them and this is the best."