Racegoers were out in force and all smiles at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, with the action at Flemington seemingly far from mind for many.
The Big Dance has been hailed a huge success, as fans frocked up and flocked to the Sydney track, proving the two big race days can co-exist.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Fans flock to Royal Randwick for The Big Dance.
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While superstar trainer Ciaron Maher and his horse Gringotts won the $3million feature event at Randwick, racing was definitely the winner.
And although it wasn’t a day off for the Sydneysiders, it certainly felt like one when the gates opened and thousands of punters poured through the turnstiles.
“Melbourne doesn’t do anything better than Sydney, if I’m honest,” one punter told 7NEWS.
While another said: “Melbourne’s definitely brought the weather but, yeah, you can’t beat Sydney.”
There were 10 races on at Royal Randwick, including The Big Dance, The Little Dance, and The Barn Dance.
And it was a Maher double in the Little and Big Dance, with jockey Chad Schofield saluting on St Lawrence.
In fact, not only was Maher celebrating the two races, but some of the owners of St Lawrence also have shares in Big Dance winner Gringotts.
And Schofield was certainly happy — and a bit relieved — after he was beaten in the Big Dance by Berry and Gringotts.
“That was a nice consolation,” Schofield said.
“I wasted hard to ride Tavi Time at 53kg (in the Big Dance). We enjoyed a good trip, he was beaten under two lengths.
“He’s a nice horse with a nice race in him – he’s almost ready for a bit further.
“This horse has won two in a row now. I loved the fight he showed in the end, the second horse (Estadio Mestalla) kicked and he gave me a good feel.”
Former Australian cricketer and legendary commentator Kerry O’Keeffe was also celebrating after his horse, Gallant Star, won The Barn Dance.
O’Keefe is part-owner of Gallant Star and revealed after the race he hand in choosing the jockey Jason Collett’s colours.
“(Fellow owner) David (Ringland) said to me, ‘It’s up to you to set our colours’, so I told him I like pink and black, and I know it’s a bit self consuming, but I’ll get the skull as well’,” O’Keeffe — who goes by the nickname ‘Skull’ — said.
“This horse tries his heart out, and he’s quick – this horse has given me more fun in racing than anything I’ve ever done.”
O’Keefe told Seven it was a huge thrill to win the race after buying the horse “online”.
“He’s never run a bad race in 14 races … I’ve been dreaming of winning this race for years,” he laughed.
“The horse is a good horse. We don’t know where it’s heading … but the journey’s not over.”
O’Keefe also told Seven about the story of Gallant Star’s purchase, revealing that the horse went for more than he expected.
“I was prepared to go to $22,000 but he went to $32,000 … I baulked, not anymore,” he said.
And for good reason, because Gallant Star’s earnings are now over $600,000.
O’Keefe was also asked about the famous 1977 Centenary Test, in which he featured, between Australia and England.
“I felt as much pressure today as I did that day, opening the batting for Australia,” he said.
“But I’m happier with my performance today as a part-owner than what I was in the Centenary Test.”
Today’s racing action was not just on in Sydney and Melbourne; there were 30 races around the country and eight alone in New South Wales.
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