Horse Racing - Sydney
 

My wife and I are visiting Sydney the first two weeks of February. We are big horse racing fans, have been to the races in several other countries, and are considering going to the track while in Sydney. It appears that Royal Randwick is where we should go. My question concerns the dress code at these races. We would only be going to the general admission area, not the members' enclosure. The Royal Randwick webpage lists minimum dress standards, but we are not exactly sure what some of the terms mean. We will be travelling extremely light and I will not have coats and ties with me. It also appears my wife could not wear sandals. We are fiftiesh and fairly conservative so I would hope we would dress appropriately, but would like the advice of any of you knowledgeable Fodorites. Thanks.

Hello admiralk,

I've never been to Royal Randwick, but when did that stop me from answering a question?

What dress code are you looking at? The one that I found via a Google search was this one:

http://www.ajc.org.au/welcome.htm?y&...p;tracksid.htm

Under the main heading of "DRESS STANDARDS," there is a sub-heading called, "MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE DRESS STANDARDS." Nowhere have I found a dress code for general admission.

But, even within the dress standards for the members' enclosure, I don't find any mention of the fact that ladies may not wear sandals. The restriction against sandals appears to me to apply only to gentlemen.

Furthermore, the web page states that gentlemen need not wear coats (read blazers, jackets) when daylight savings time is in effect (i.e., in summer). You will be there while daylight savings time is in effect. If a gentleman in the members' enclosure does not wear a coat, however, he must not wear braces (suspenders).

The ladies' dress code has a restriction against sandshoes. I wonder if that is what you read as sandals. Sandshoes are lace up shoes of the kind that one would wear for bushwalking (hiking).

I'm not sure which terms are unfamiliar to you. One word that has a different meaning in North America (if that's where you're from) and Australia is "thongs." In Australia the term refers to flip flops (a sandal without a rear strap that goes around the heel).

Hope that helps.

You will find that the dress for anywhere but the Members Enclosure at Randwick is extremely casual - and you will have no problem wearing normal summer clothing i.e. sundress/shorts/capris etc. and as Judy points out during Daylight Saving there is certainly no need for a coat and tie even in the Members Enclosure.
I am sure you will enjoy your visit to the Races - it is just a pity you are not here for one of the major race meetings at Easter or in the Spring.
Just a small tip - if you see a horse starting that is trained by Guy Walter and wearing Red & White colours - it will hopefully do well & will certainly be trying (owned by a family member of mine!)

Hi Guys
I've had no trouble getting into Randwick in a Hawaiian Shirt, shorts and running shoes for a buck's day at the races.
Don't worry about your footwear - it's not Royal Ascot

Agree with the above...I've been to Randwick lots of times and I can assure you it is casual casual casual in the general enclosure. The sandals, sandshoes restrictions are new on me but I'd say if you wear cool, comfortable clothing you will be at least as well dressed as everyone else Cheers!