We Love KB Guest Blogger Rebecca Brewin’s ultimate guide to ensuring a fabulous 2016 ’round!
A party that has steadily grown since its inception in 1896, the Race Round brings a week of outrageously fun events to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. More than just the Kalgoorlie Cup, there are three racing carnival days and plenty of other events to tire you out. I’ve attended them all, with varying degrees of success, and come up with this unofficial survival guide just for you!
What to wear
Fashions on the Field Finalists
Do not make the mistake of thinking because you’re headed to a regional race day you can don your ‘good’ flanno, break out a new pair of double pluggers and give the old rat’s tail a bit of a brush. If you’ve spent a day in Kalgoorlie-Boulder you should know the stakes are amazingly high when it comes to fashion. Guys and gals of the Goldfields know how to dress. Sure, Boulder Cup Day is a more casual affair but for the rest of the week you need to bring your A game, especially on Ladies Day. The standard of the outfits that place in Fashions on the Field is impeccably high, with ladies in perfectly coordinated outfits from their hats to their heels. Guys wear your best suit and if you own white dress shoes I advise you bin them immediately.
I strongly encourage you shop local for your outfits, and not just to support the local economy; the only time I suffered the humiliation of someone else wearing my dress at the races was when I purchased it off ASOS. Don’t forget a pair of sunnies to protect your eyes from the blaring Goldfields sun and so you can actually see if it’s your horse coming down the straight. Ladies make sure you purchase the right size shapewear (aka Spanx) otherwise you’ll be whipping them off and stowing them in your bag after your fifth mini-burger… I imagine. Finally, save the 10-inch heels for the Gold Bar dance floor or you’ll be hobbling around like a freshly birthed giraffe in a few short hours.
Your beauty plan
Simple makeup is the easiest to maintain during a day at the races
If you’re the kind of guy or gal who likes to go all-out glamorous for the races you need to book your beauty appointments as early as possible. Depending on when you’re reading this it’s probably too late to book a 5-hour tan/mani/pedi/facial marathon. But if you don’t trust yourself to expertly administer a spray tan to your body (and unless you happen to be a professional spray tanner, you shouldn’t) at least call Lush or Alleya Day Spa and see if they can squeeze you in. I love Indulge for a Shellac manicure or pedicure. If your locks are looking a little lacklustre give Thairapy or Gravity a call and see what they can do. As for makeup, I’m an advocate of the ‘less is more’ philosophy if for no other reason than you don’t have to worry about it sliding south over the course of the day. And don’t forget to wear sunscreen underneath your warpaint; fascinators do little in the way of sun protection.
Your drinking game plan
Enjoy some sparkling… and water!
As much as most people love a tipple at the races, no one wants to be that person stumbling out the gate at sunset, shoeless, shirtless and shouting profanities. Make sure you have a big breakfast before you start drinking and grab a snack whenever you get the chance; whether it’s a canapé in a marquee, chips and dip from a picnic basket or a dirty (aka delicious) hotdog from a food vendor. Down some water between every alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated and maybe a swap your beer for a soft drink every few rounds. Pick one drink and stick to it! Don’t be mixing beer, wine, spirits and sparkling unless you really hate yourself.
Sustenance is important
Make sure you see a horse
A horse is taken through its paces in the mountain yard at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club
When you’re busy socialising, people watching, eating and alternating your booze with water it’s easy to forget about the horses. The reason you’re actually there! Make sure you watch a few races from the straight; nothing beats the excitement of feeling the horses thundering towards the finish line and hearing the crowd screaming maniacally as if they’ve spent their last 20 cents on race 5. Speaking of gambling, if you choose to have a punt please do so responsibly. Set yourself a limit and don’t chase your losses. Or if like me you like your money where you can see it (in the form of a pair of shoes), just bet a few dollars here and there.
Plan your exit strategy
All these people want the same taxi as you
Race Round is a busy time for Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s few taxi drivers and when thousands of punters suddenly exit the racetrack at the same time, chaos quickly ensues. If you can bribe a sober friend to pick you up from the KBRC and drop you at home or into town it’s probably worth paying whatever they ask (firstborn sons included). One Kalgoorlie Cup Day I took a pair of those tiny rolled up ballet flats in my handbag, slipped them on at the end of the day and walked all the way to the Tower Hotel. If you have indulged in a few aforementioned tipples I recommend dropping past one of KB’s late night eateries on the way home. Acropolis do an excellent kebab and special chips, which are like regular chips only special.
Take advantage of the other events around town
Burlesque dancers at the 2014 Discover the Round Welcome Party
Race Round is the best week of the year in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the fun is not only confined to the racetrack. If spending a day trackside isn’t your thing there are plenty of other great events to get involved in. One of my favourites is the Discover the Round Welcome Party held at the Hannans Club, which is always a classy affair. This year there’s a white lunch for ladies at the golf course, a sport men’s lunch and plenty of other events. If you feel you need to break up the partying with some culture the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize exhibition is on display at the Kalgoorlie town hall and the Goldfields Repertory Club are performing The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde during the Round. For more visit the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club website.
