As the nation grinds to a halt to watch the Melbourne Cup race on Tuesday, November 3rd, Estilo is inviting you to saddle up and join in the quirky, cool and glamorous team at QT Port Douglas for an afternoon of fun and fashion at the most stylish race day in Port Douglas.

Estilo will host a cocktail lawn party for guests between 12noon and 2pm, sponsored by G.H.Mumm, the official champagne of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Guests will be welcomed with a free glass of ‘Mumm’ champagne on arrival and enjoy the culinary delights of QT chefs, who will showcase the creativity and skill for which they are renowned, with a sumptuous array of substantial gourmet canapés.

The Melbourne Cup is surrounded by tradition. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world and is run annually by the Victoria Racing Club on the iconic Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

For those of you who are interested in the facts of the day, the race is a quality handicap for horses 3 years old and over, run over a distance of 3,200 metres (19mtrs short of 2 miles). The first race was held in 1861 when the winning purse was 710 gold sovereigns (or £710) cash and a hand-beaten gold watch.

The first Melbourne Cup trophy was awarded some four years in 1865 and was an elaborate silver bowl on a stand.  Today, a new 1.65carat solid gold trophy is struck each year and becomes the property of the winning owner and is worth about $125,000. The winning trainer and jockey also receive a miniature replica of the cup and the strapper is awarded the Tommy Woodcock Trophy, named after the strapper of Phar Lap.

Times have changed a little regarding the winners purse now being a cool $6,200,000 (but no watch)!

The Melbourne Cup Carnival will be screened all day on wide screens in Estilo, with prizes for best dressed being awarded by the judging panel made up of the fabulous fillies at Rose & Boy, alongside sweeps and lucky door prizes.

Bookings are absolutely essential, with tickets priced at $69 per person, or the very limited $89 per person which includes a private booth.

And for those not ready to call it quits at the finish line, Estilo will be home to the official post-race after party, where guests can kick up their heels with DJ Joe Brown on the decks from 3pm, and the Estilo BBQ firing up for sunset snacks from 5.30pm.

Book spaQ’s sunless tan for only $45 and get bronzed with spaQ’s organic one hour tan, plus a lick of vibrant OPI varnish on your fingers or toes - you’ll be a sure bet to turn heads!