Emirates kick starts the celebrations at Melbourne Cup Carnival
DUBAI, U.A.E., 31st October 2009 – Vibrant colours, cosmopolitan culture and the rich heritage of India filled the famed social hotspot of the Emirates Marquee on Victoria Derby Day – the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Guests included Amber Petty, Andrew G and Noa Tishby, Andrew McManus, Anthony Rocca, Arthur Galan, Dale Thomas, Dane Swan, Dave Hughes and Holly Ife, Emma Freedman, George Calombaris, Gwendolynne Burkin and Richard Nylon, Hamish Blake and Anna Jennings-Edquist, Jane Kennedy, Jo Stanley and Darren McFarlane, Lara Bingle and Michael Clarke, Laura Dundovic, Lauren Philips, Martin Sacks, Matt Preston, Megan Gale, Naomi Robson, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Nathan Buckley, Paloma Faith, Paul and Barbara Licuria, Peter Hellier, Shane Warne and Simone Callahan, Sigrid Thornton, Glen and Sloane Boss, Tessa James and Tom Williams.
Emirates’ Marquee has gained a reputation for offering its guests a variety of themed, mouth-watering dishes and this year was no exception, with food an integral part of Indian culture. Guests marvelled in the finest hospitality available on course including celebrity chef Pete Evans’ signature marquee dish ‘Chicken Biryani’ which was a menu highlight and Indian inspired cocktails designed by Emirates Marquee Mixologist, Greg Sanderson.
Guests of Emirates also delighted in the finest Indian entertainment including Bollywood dancers and Henna tattoo artists.
The Victoria Derby, the classic Group 1 race run over 2,500 metres, was won by Monaco Consul, ridden by Corey Brown.
Emirates is the Principal Partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the title sponsor of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and Emirates Stakes.
Emirates currently flies non-stop to six continents from Dubai and in India the airline serves the cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.