 |
|
 |  |  |
On the afternoon of the inaugural TAB Everest in 2017, and less than 30 before the race, the Australian Turf Club was ready to close the gates.
After a year of build-up and promotion, the TAB Everest’s popularity had reached a crescendo as crowds of young people poured through the gates in the heart of Sydney to roar for the start of the world’s richest race of turf.
More than 40,000 spectators that day stamped the TAB Everest as a destination on the world racing calendar.
Fast forward to 2021, in the post midst of Covid, and the Australian Turf Club welcomed a capacity of 10,000 spectators under NSW Government orders at Royal Randwick to watch the fifth edition of the world’s richest race on turf.
Once again, the gates were holding a capacity crowd.
“Everest Day this year at Royal Randwick was a wonderful celebration of the world’s best racing and the on-course atmosphere was electric,” said de Vine.
“The running of the world’s richest race on turf coincided with Sydney’s first major event after three months of lockdown, so everyone was ready to celebrate the very best in racing but also what racing means to Sydney.
“The crowd was vibrant and young. Nature Strip’s win was perhaps the closest and most exciting in the race’s history and the strength of the field has again confirmed the TAB Everest as the world’s best sprint race.’’
As head of communications and media at the Australian Turf Club, de Vine is constantly amongst a raceday crowd but the under thirty-five age of the majority of the crowd even took him by surprise.
de Vine ended the most awaited raceday of the year on a quiet note.
“We welcomed Nature Strip and James McDonald back to the enclosure and joined in with the rest of the crowd for the singalong and celebration, he said, “and then after a 12-hour working day along with hundreds of other Australian Turf Club staff, we had a debrief with media after the last race and then headed home for a good night’s sleep!”
Despite major lockdown in all states, the ATC team in Sydney worked ceaselessly over the previous three months to ensure spectators had an enjoyable experience after crowds were allowed back on track.
“We were thrilled with the organisation of the day and especially the cooperation of our spectators in following the COVID-Safe measures and extra check-in through the gates at the start of the day
“The highlight outside of the racing was the crowd singing along to Neil Diamond’s classic hit Sweet Caroline,” he said.
 |  |  |
With Sydney bringing a kaleidoscope of world-class racing, style and entertainment, the strict Covid restrictions had been a real hardship for the populace. ATC hopes to put all that behind them with big summer of racing at Royal Randwick, where they will look to open again to larger crowds for themed race days around Christmas.
With over three hundred days still to go for the next Everest, the ATC has already started planning for Everest 2022.
“We will certainly be hoping lockdown and COVID is well and truly behind all of Sydney in 12 months time and we can again host a full Royal Randwick capacity crowd of more than 40,000 people.
“Whilst we have more carnivals ahead of us through Summer and Autumn, one thing I would expect to build in tradition and voice next year will be the post-race singing and celebration with the winning horse and jockey,” said Brett De Vine looking ahead.