Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival A Winner! 1

MEDIA RELEASE

17 April 2009

Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival a winner!

Racegoers still spending on outfits and going out
Punters "not-so-technical" in choosing horses
$100-$300 most popular budget for the day

Despite the Global Financial Crisis punters from NSW city and country areas still see the
races as a great day out, a chance to dress up socialise and have a flutter, according to an
Intentions Survey released by Events NSW.

Events NSW CEO Geoff Parmenter said our fondness for a day at the races continues
unabated, which is great news for the Autumn Racing Carnival in NSW and particularly with
Doncaster Day and Sydney Cup Day running over the next two Saturdays.

"The independent online Survey of 500 people in NSW asked what people saw as the
highlight of a visit to the races and the top responses were fittingly, seeing one's horse win,
socialising, food and drink and the fashions," Mr Parmenter said.

"Last year's Carnival generated $15.5 million for NSW and if you include the Inglis Easter
Yearling Sale, total Carnival spend was $84.4 million.

"The Intentions Survey found punters spend on average $100 - 300 on their day out, 28 per
cent nominated $50-100 as their budget for the day, followed by 12 per cent with $300-500.

"Retailers will be pleased to know, the `princess factor' is alive and well. More than half of the
women surveyed said they would hit the shops to buy a new outfit or update their wardrobe
with new accessories before going to the races.

"Men were much more laid back, with 64 per cent saying they would cobble something
together from their existing wardrobe," he said.

The economic impact report commissioned last year found during the 2008 Carnival over
6,200 fashion items were purchased by interstate and overseas visitors specifically to attend
the races. This contributed $593,000 in new money to the NSW retail industry with visitors
spending around $120 each.

Hats and fascinators were the most highly purchased item followed by dresses then ties,
shoes for men and women, suits and shirts for men and jewellery.

Mr Parmenter said results from this year's survey indicate a boon for our hospitality industry
with people keen to go out after a day at the track. More than half of those surveyed said
they would move on to a pub, head out to dinner or see live entertainment.

"The survey shows the races really are a social occasion, with 58 per cent of people
choosing to spend the day with their friends, followed by their partners (22 per cent) and
family members (14 per cent).


Last year more than 43 per cent of attendees were aged below 35.

"Australians are famous for a flutter, generally though it seems we have some not-so-
technical ways of selecting our horses, with some major differences between the sexes," he
said.

The most popular methods of selecting horses were:

MEN: WOMEN:
1. Study the form guide 1. Like the name of the horse
2. Take tips from friends 2. Study the form guide
3. Take tips from experts 3. Take tips from friends
4. Like the name of the horse 4. Choose by number
5. Pick a horse at random 5. Colour of the jockey's silks

Women were far less interested in their betting skills, with 37 per cent guessing or taking
mystery bets and 44 per cent labelling themselves `eager learners'.

In contrast, 19 per cent of men considered themselves 'gifted amateurs' with 53 per cent
saying they were `eager learners'.

"Horse racing is alive and well in NSW, after a great start at the AAMI Golden Slipper Day at
Rosehill Gardens we look forward to continuing the Autumn Racing Carnival at Randwick
and across NSW," Mr Parmenter said.

The revitalisation of the Autumn Racing Carnival, supported by a significant financial
investment, is central to Events NSW's approach to making Sydney and NSW a leading
global events destination.

The Carnival is one of five recurring anchor events to be held annually in the NSW Master
Events Calendar.

For more information, please contact:
Kate Pembroke/02 8114 2405 / 0408 486 404/ [email protected]

About the Autumn Racing Carnival
Racing NSW, Australian Jockey Club, Sydney Turf Club, Tabcorp, Inglis and Events
NSW are working together to revitalise and transform the Autumn Racing Carnival
and make Sydney and NSW a leading turf and tourism destination.
In 2009 the Autumn Racing Carnival is in a transitional year leading to the complete
transformation of the event from 2010 and the creation of a broader equestrian
festival.
For information on the Autumn Racing Carnival visit
http://www.autumnracingcarnival.com.au.












Summary results

What are the highlights of a day at the races? (multi response)
M F TOTAL

Seeing my horse win 79.8% 72.3% 76.0%
Socialising 56.5% 56.2% 56.3%
Food and drink 44.3% 44.2% 44.2%
Fashions 19.0% 38.8% 29.0%
Entertainment 27.7% 25.0% 26.3%
Marquees 17.0% 17.3% 17.2%

Putting an outfit together
M F TOTAL

Cobble an outfit together from my existing wardrobe 64.4% 39.2% 51.7%
Update with an accessory (eg, tie, fascinator) 30.0% 33.8% 32.0%
Buy a new outfit 4.3% 21.5% 13.1%
Visit an op shop 0.8% 3.5% 2.1%
Fancy
dress
0.4%
1.9%


1.2%


Prefer to spend the day with
M F TOTAL

Friends
61.7%
53.8%


57.7%
Partner
19.0%


24.6%




21.8%
Family 11.1% 17.3% 14.2%
By myself 4.3% 0.0% 2.1%
Don't know 2.0% 1.5% 1.8%
Work colleagues/clients 2.0% 2.7% 2.3%



Self description of preparation for the day
M F TOTAL

Dress up - spend a few hours getting ready 17.4% 43.8% 56.3%
Easy going hope for the best 71.5% 41.5% 3.9%
Last minute dash go straight from home or work 5.5% 2.3% 30.8%
Prince/Princess spend days planning the day 1.6% 8.5% 5.1%