FASHION retailers are preparing for busy weeks ahead with the Scott Group of Companies Gold Cup Carnival staged a second time this year in early December.
The Mount Gambier Racing Club is bringing forward one of the most hotly anticipated events on the city’s social calendar, the 2018 cup, to December 1 to allow the $3.3m reconstruction of the waterlogged track to get under way early next year.
Fine weather this week has renewed enthusiasm for the event, which will be a summer cup for the first time in its history.
Racing Club general manager Brett Watson said the community response to the first-ever summer gold cup had been overwhelmingly positive.
“We already have a number of marquees booked,” Mr Watson said.
“The community feedback has been very positive – a gold cup staged in the warmer weather has generated plenty of interest.”
Mr Watson said preparations at the Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse were well under way.
“We usually prepare for the gold cup 12 months in advance,” he said.
“With the decision to stage the 2018 cup early we have less time than we would like and we have had to ramp up the activity and the committee meetings.
“It’s all coming together – we’re slowly ticking things off.”
He said the twilight meeting would likely start at around 2pm.
“The exact start time will be decided later, but it will probably be around 1.30 or 2pm,” Mr Watson said.
“It will depend on the number of races and will be confirmed closer to the date.”
Redgum Country stylist Amy-Kate Kuhn spoke to The Border Watch to offer her expert advice as racegoers look to shed heavy winter coats in favour of lighter, brighter summer racing fashion.
She said while pastel hues and lighter fabrics were often favoured for trackside events in summer, bold statement accessories would carry over from the winter racing season.
“Metallics in headwear will be massive again this season,” Ms Kuhn said.
“People tend to shy away from glitzy accessories at the races, but the tassel earrings and bejeweled statement crowns are huge at the moment.
“Locally the style at the races is becoming more glam with a bit more texture – ‘more is more’ right now rather than ‘less is more’.”
Ms Kuhn said flowing maxi dresses, while not ideal in muddy winter conditions, would likely be a fixture at the summer cup.
“We are seeing a lot of maxis, they will be popular for the spring and summer racing seasons,” she said.
In terms of colour, Ms Kuhn said black and white was always a safe bet.
“Monochrome is always a winner,” she said.
“Polka dots are everywhere right now and they are always classic.
“There are also a lot of peach and soft pinks coming through this season.”
