Held each year on the first Tuesday in November, Melbourne Cup is followed by millions of people across Australia and many more worldwide.

With Kirsten Bruce, Founder of VIVA! Communications, and Paul Jans, VIVA! Communications Managing Director, being from VIC, Team VIVA! celebrated in true Melbourne Cup style on the day marking the race that stops a nation.

We took our special outfits out of the wardrobe and gathered at Ormeggio, a restaurant on the shores of Middle Harbour at the spit in Mosman, offering contemporary Italian cuisine.

Melbourne cup

Team VIVA! from left: Danielle, Joni, Emma, Kirsten, Josie & Paul

dessert

Strawberry – White Chocolate – Rose dessert

Dressed in our finery, with fascinators flying and frocks aplenty, team VIVA! enjoyed a spectacular waterside setting, overlooking Middle Harbour and Pearl Bay.

However, it was a unanimous vote that Paul should take out the best dressed accolade with his eye-catching pink striped tie and matching pocket handkerchief.

Joni Thomes, Account Manager, and Kirsten were on the money. Both had landed Gai Waterhouse’s winner, Fiorente in the office sweep.

VIVA! Account Manager Josie Schwarzer won $50 for second placed horse in the restaurant sweep, which appeared to be one of her first Melbourne Cup wins ever.

While Danielle Cesta and Emma Boscheinen won a lovely bottle of Pinot and two hand-made German crystal glasses  from restaurant management, simply for being the losers of the day and not selecting either a win, place or even last-placed horse.

Overall it was fabulous day with a delectable degustation menu and the best champagne and wine on offer.

For the race that stops the nation, Team VIVA!  upped the ante on camaraderie, fun and frivolity and we look forward to doing it all again on the first Tuesday in November in 2014!

Some Melbourne Cup 2013 Stats (source SMH)

  • $90 million was wagered on the 2013 Melbourne Cup with the TAB (NSW and VIC totes) and Fixed Odds
  •  104,169 racegoers made their way to the famous Flemington racecourse in Melbourne
  •  Fiorente was the first favourite to win since 2005 and paid $7
  •  One punter had $27,500 @ $7 on Fiorente just before the race and collected $192,50
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