During that period,the event transformed from a pleasant day of racing called Ladies’ Day that attracted women of all ages to a monster occasion colloquially – and eventually disparagingly – known as Blokes Day with 100,000-plus crowds crammed into every corner on the track.
Post COVID,Oaks Day is at an interesting juncture,with Kennedy’s sponsorship of the race concluding while its identity is being reimagined.
“The unique selling point of Oaks Day is that it falls on a working day,so it presents an opportunity for corporate partners to engage with clients and promote their businesses in a fun and exciting environment,” Rosich said.
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He said the club had not positioned Oaks Day as Ladies Day for some time but because the moniker was so strongly attached to the event in the past it would take time for awareness to shift.
They are not standing still,aware of shifting expectations with the non-gender specific Fashions on the Field competition introduced last year one example of change.
There is also an awareness among corporate sponsors and individuals attending that while dressing up and conveying a touch of glamour is fun,they also need to be mindful of community concerns.