Hollywood star Jamie Foxx cuts a rug while Don Farrell schmoozes US ambassador

November 3, 2026 — 7:49pmIf you don’t ask, you won’t get.In what was an epic coup for Crown Resorts and its private equity owner, Blackstone, the casino company landed new US ambassador to Australia David Brat at Flemington on Tuesday.US ambassador David Brat (left), Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell (taking a selfie) and US consul-general Colin Crosby outside the Crown marquee.Penny StephensWhen Crown asked if Brat, who started in his role as Donald Trump’s man Down Under in August, would like to be at the track and attend its Birdcage marquee, he said yes and diplomacy swung into action.It was the first visit to Melbourne for Brat, who was joined by his wife, Laura. The couple were accompanied to the track by US consul-general Colin Crosby and his wife, Vivian.After lunching in the VRC Committee Room, Brat told CBD he was loving the Cup spectacle.He said Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner had encouraged him to punt on what she told him was the King’s horse, Point Of Law, which went on to win the $10.2 million race. The horse was previously owned by King Charles.Crown Resorts CEO David Tsai, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Sally Curtain and Crown Resorts chairman John Borghetti on Cup Day.Penny StephensBrat said he would vote in the US midterm elections, which begin on Tuesday night (AEDT), via email and that being sent to Australia by Trump was “the best posting there is”.Elsewhere in Crown’s enclosure, chairman John Borghetti played host to pollies and high rollers alike.Taro Squires, head of real estate in Australia for international private equity giant Blackstone, was at his first Melbourne Cup, after taking on his new post in July. Squires was previously based in Tokyo and is now living in Sydney, from where he will oversee the casino asset.Caitlin Donaldson from Qantas and Michael Photios, Liberal Party powerbroker, arriving at the Birdcage.Penny StephensHe was in the house with Crown Resorts chief David Tsai and head of Crown in Melbourne Ed Domingo.Lobbyist and former NSW Liberal minister Michael Photios was in from Sydney with Qantas government relations operative Caitlin Donaldson, while National Gallery of Victoria director Tony Ellwood, federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell, VECCI boss Sally Curtain, Melbourne Airport chief Lorie Argus, and Crown Melbourne chair and former racing minister Martin Pakula were also present.A Wylie winBefore the feature race, veteran investment banker and former chair of the Australian Sports Commission John Wylie was striding the Birdcage bitumen with his wife, Myriam. Together, they own 10 per cent of Point Of Law.John Wylie, former chair of the Australian Sports Commission, and his wife, Myriam Wylie, had plenty to celebrate.Penny StephensJohn ducked in and out of Crown before heading for the mounting yard. By the end of the day he was back at the company’s marquee celebratingthe horse’s win in a back room with his fellow owners.Bishop’s blessing for Jess WilsonJulie Bishop, Australia’s minister for style, and her partner, Stephen Grey, were the epitome of Birdcage diplomacy on Cup Day, floating from one marquee to another.Julie Bishop calls this Dior dress “my French look”.Getty ImagesDressed in “timeless Dior – this is my French look”, Bishop paused for a moment from her marquee-hopping to throw her support behind Jess Wilson in this month’s Victorian election.“I have always been impressed by Jess. She is a very confident, smart, inspiring woman, and I hope she is given the opportunity to lead this state,” Bishop said.“She is an impressive talent. I think she is a star.”Last month CBD reported that Bishop, who also has a role with the United Nations, had hitched her wagon to a Trump-linked advisory firm in the US.“I have maintained my interest in foreign affairs, Australia’s place in the world and global strategic matters,” she said.Bishop’s advisory firm, Julie Bishop & Partners, has inked a “strategic alliance” with American Global Strategies, a company chaired by Robert O’Brien, a former US national security adviser and current member of Donald Trump’s President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.Foxx tears up the dance floorThere have been rumours for days that Oscar winner Jamie Foxx would make it out to Flemington at some point during Cup Week, and when he arrived at the Don Julio marquee just before 1pm on Cup Day, a real Hollywood buzz went through the Birdcage.Hollywood star Jamie Foxx was ready to live it up on the dance floor.Eamon GallagherThe Collateral star attracted a huge media scrum when he turned up at the tequila bolthole, and he wasn’t boring – chatting to everyone, doing oodles of selfies and busting some moves on the dance floor.Foxx is in Melbourne for a couple of months filming Deadlocked, an action movie that has been shooting at various locations around the city. He is staying at disgraced media mogul Antony Catalano’s St Kilda penthouse.Foxx’s partner, Australian fitness instructor Alyce Huckstepp, is in Melbourne with him.While many visiting international stars like to fly under the radar while in town, Foxx has been embracing our golf courses and our hospitality scene. He has been a regular at Maison Batard, the high-end restaurant in the Melbourne CBD operated by Chris Lucas, and as evidenced by his Birdcage enthusiasm, loves a selfie with fans. He is a vibe.Pour one out for MummOver in the Mumm marquee, the definition of celebrity was quite loosely applied.Jules Neale’s “tap, tap” moment”.Getty ImagesIn what has seemed like a real-life episode of Days of Our Lives, the bubbles brand has this week played host to both halves of the soap opera-like disintegration of footballer Lachie Neale and newly minted influencer ex-wife Jules Neale’s marriage.Jules was Mumm’s big-name guest on Cup Day and did the daily “tap, tap” champagne shower on the steps of the marquee for the cameras.Questions about her marriage implosion were off-limits, minders stipulating she could only be asked about fashion and racing.Adelle Petropoulos at the Caulfield Cup last month.Penny StephensAsked how she was feeling about being at the track, she said: “I will be honest … I don’t know anything about the racing,” adding she was there for the fashion.Lachie, a former Brisbane Lions star and now new Collingwood recruit, and his current girlfriend, Emma Field, were guests of the champagne house on Saturday, Derby Day.On Tuesday, another new-age celebrity guest was influencer Adelle Petropoulos, who came to public notice last year after she split with her fiance.Petropoulos bounced back in March by wearing what was to be her wedding gown to the Australian Grand Prix’s Glamour on the Grid party and has been riding a social media wave ever since.Also turning heads in the marquee was Chelsea Becirevic, who is known as “Australia’s hottest WAG”. Becirevic is dating retired AFL player Ivan Soldo.“There are worse things to be called, so I’ll take it,” she quipped.Lunch is servedThe hallowed Committee Room was once again the most exclusive venue at Flemington, a strictly invitation-only location.Victoria Racing Club chair Neil Wilson and his wife, Stephanie, the VRC board and club chief executive Kylie Rogers hosted dignitaries, politicians, board members of other race clubs, sponsors, and owner representatives of runners in the Melbourne Cup.As well as Governor Margaret Gardner, US ambassador David Brat and US consul-general Colin Crosby, also joining the Committee Room lunch were Victorian Racing Minister Anthony Carbines, state Treasurer Colin Brooks, Sport Minister Steve Dimopoulos, retiring Nationals MP Tim Bull and Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece.Pollies take Birdcage flightThe Birdcage was a grab bag of political, business and showbiz identities on Cup Day.In our travels, CBD came across member for Mallee Anne Webster, member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, federal member for Maribyrnong Jo Briskey and new federal director of the Liberal Party Lincoln Folo in the Mumm marquee.At TAB, the company’s heavy hitters were out in force in traditional morning suits, including chairman Brett Chenoweth, chief executive Gil McLachlan and non-executive director David Gallop.Senators Sarah Henderson (left) and Jane Hume.Eamon GallagherMany politicians declined invitations to join the fun in light of the Reserve Bank’s decision on interest rates at 2.30pm – just the sort of optics our elected officials are keen to avoid.A few still got along, including NSW politician Mark Latham and federal Nationals MP Michael McCormack.Also enjoying the betting shop’s hospitality was former Melbourne Racing Club chair John Kanga and former Anthony Albanese adviser Ryan Liddell, who now runs his own outfit, Principle Advisory.At Lexus, Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox was enjoying the day with partner Jane Devereux, while at Nine senators Jane Hume and Sarah Henderson were in attendance.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. 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