Nicole Kidman set for Flemington
Nicole Kidman will be at Flemington for Derby Day. Source: Herald Sun
Actor turned designer Mischa Barton will also be present during the Spring Carnival. Source: Herald Sun
NICOLE Kidman is coming to the races.
The Australian movie star will be a guest of Swisse on Derby Day, November 3, adding some glamour to the first big day of Flemington's four-day carnival.
But it was far from the season's trademark blue skies when Group 1 racing returned to Flemington yesterday for the Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Day.
More than 15,700 punters braved bitter conditions to watch Green Moon take out the main race, the Turnbull Stakes.
In the fashion stakes, bold coloured and structured hats proved both the popular and practical choice, with wind and rain lashing the track for most of the day.
Ot! her celebrities confirmed as spring carnival starters include Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, who will attend the Melbourne Cup, and British-born actor turned designer Mischa Barton.
Kidman, 45, said she wanted to bring her husband Keith Urban to Melbourne, but he had commitments in the US with American Idol.
Instead she will be accompanied to Flemington by her parents, Antony and Janelle Kidman.
She said she could not wait to get to Melbourne.
"I have always loved the races," she said.
"My dad used to take me as a special treat when I was a young girl to enjoy the spectacle, the fashions, the horses and the crowds.
"I have been invited to the famous spring carnival at Flemington in recent years and have been so disappointed that I have never been able to make it work for me to be there. But this year I am very excited to be able to attend Derby Day and to be there representing Swisse as their global ambassador."
Swisse boss Radek Sali said Kidman was an important part of the company's spring racing campaign.
It will be a brief trip back home for Kidman - she will be in the country for only 24 hours.
She will fly in from Nice, France, where she is playing Grace Kelly in the film Grace Of Monaco.
After her commitments on track are finished, she will fly back to France to continue filming.
She is expected to be at the track for two hours.
It will be her first official engagement for Swisse since being name the global face of the brand.
Kidman is expected in Australia again early in 2013 to film a commercial for Swisse.
Comments