Melbourne Cup: Ascot Racecourse sells out ahead of horse race with Perth celebrities, AFL players to attend

The race that stops the nation is just hours away and thousands of Perth punters are preparing to descend on Ascot Racecourse to celebrate a day of racing in style. Ascot will be the place to be in Perth for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup with horse racing lovers able to watch the big race on the super screen. More than 15,000 people are expected to head to the only trackside venue in Perth to celebrate the Melbourne Cup with local horse racing and entertainment. More than 6000 pints of draught beer, 2500 bottles of champagne, and over 1200 cocktails are expected to be poured at the dozens of bars around the racecourse. The newly opened Ollie’s Bar, named after WA’s legendary jockey Damien Oliver, is set to be a sought-after spot for those luck enough to have the day off work. The brand new TABtouch igloo will also be on course with a prize for everyone who enters. For those who enjoy seafood, over 200 dozen oysters will be freshly shucked or for those looking for an Aussie staple, Mrs Mac’s pie shop is a new addition at Ascot. Perth celebrities will be flocking to the event including Married at First Sight star Stephen Stewart, Survivor icon Luke Toki, and influencer Emily Grosser. West Coast Eagles stars Tim Kelly, Liam Ryan, and Jamaine Jones as well as Fremantle player Nathan O’Driscoll and Richmond’s Jacob Blight will be at Ascot’s White Claw Beach Club, which will turn the trackside experience into a white sand haven. National Fashions on the Field runner up and Bachelor star Nikki Gogan will be heading to the Director’s Luncheon at Ascot to enjoy an all-inclusive five course lunch while enjoying the races. “I’m excited to be back at the track so I’m really looking forward to a good day,” she said. She expects bows to be among the main fashion trends women will be sporting for the Cup. “This year I’m actually wearing more of a suit, which is a little bit different for me,” she said. “It is nice that women can be a little bit more relaxed in pants and don’t have to be in skirts and dresses so I would expect to see that. “I think the overall theme for what might be on trend though is probably lots of bows and that could be in headpieces, which is nice and easy to wear for the women but even bows in outfits too.” Ms Gogan said she will be putting her money on Sea King, who will be ridden by top British jockey Hollie Doyle. Gates open at Ascot at 8.30am with races on from 11.25am to 5.10pm. The Lexus Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 race held over 3200 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne with the total prize pool for this year at a mammoth $8 million.