So back to a few weeks ago and Christina's hen's day at the races. Great fun! (Thanks to Clare for the use of her photos from the day.)

When we received the invite, Clare mentioned that she'd never been to the races before. I gave her the run down of a typical day at the races - dress pretty, drink champagne and bitch about what other women are wearing. And that's pretty much what we did. I'm always surprised by how much fun it is!

Chris was assigned dares during the day which were designed to embarrass her as much as possible. For example, at one point she had to stand up and yell "I'm not wearing any knickers" to everyone in the stands. Hillarious! I'm so glad that I've had my Hen's party already because I wouldn't want anyone getting any ideas.


Most people go to the races to put a bet on but it has never been one of my chief pursuits at the races (see above - dress, drink, bitch). When we do bet, it's usually for silly reasons. Last time we went to the races we bet on a horse called Stella just so we could yell Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllaaaaaaaa (a la Streetcar Named Desire) as it ran the track.

This time, I bet on a horse called Jessicabeel (for what I hope are obvious reasons). It won! hurrah! It won at quite good odds too so I walked away with $40 after an initial outlay of $5. It was enough to pay for most of my champagne on the day and it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside (both the win and the champagne). To win on Saturday you had to bet on a horse named after you. In the next race, Natalie bet on a horse called Speedy Natalie and it also won!

So that's going to be my theory when I next head to the races. Only bet on horses named after me!

Addendum: Andrew mentioned that I'd won with a bet on Jessicabeel to his friend Steve. When Steve went to the races the next weekend he also bet on Jessicabeel and won. He won $70! So, obviously you should just bet on Jessicabeel. The horse is a winner.

More photos (slideshow) on Clare's Flickr.

I think I'm still too hung over to write this note, so if I don't make sense, forgive me.

Yesterday, we celebrated John becoming an Australian Resident (he's now legally required to like vegemite, own a pair of thongs and drink beer-ya) with a day at Randwick Races. I love the races! What girl wouldn't love a chance to get dressed up and drink champagne? Actually, I think the whole thing with the horses running round in a circle is over-rated. It's much more fun critiquing what all the other women are wearing than watching the horses. Of course, we did make a few obligatory bets; we even came out ahead (I think.)

After the races the girls headed to Newtown for a few cocktails (and some drunken, late-night shopping... not a good idea) and then we met the boys for dinner. We tried, in vain, to get into Sushi Train but the opening special made it a very popular venue. In the end we had to settle for Kai on King. At least it was a sushi-go-round but at full price it didn't taste as good.

Congratulations to John on becoming a resident! We let you in? What were we thinking? (photos)