Stylish Sydney throws down the gauntlet: Everest fashion winners

October 17, 2026 — 6:03pmThe long-running Sydney-versus-Melbourne feud can be a bit overdone, but it always inevitably ends up rearing its head at some point regardless as it did today at Royal Randwick as the style set rolled in for The Everest Cup.“Sydney and Melbourne are always in competition, so why not have a bit more at the races?” asked Milana Marsh, wearing a deep burgundy Bianca and Bridgett dress.Krissy and Milana Marsh at the TAB Everest Day at Royal Randwick.Audrey Richardson“Oh look, The Everest is taking things to new heights because we’re not Melbourne, we’re Sydney, and we actually have good weather, so it actually is good for spring,” added her mother Krissy Marsh, who clearly didn’t check the coverage from Caulfield, where the sun blazed with clear blue skies.Weather aside, when it comes to racewear fashion, the difference between the two cities translates as experimental versus classic.Kate Waterhouse.Audrey Richardson“There’s a great mix of traditional racing elegance and modern fashion, and I love seeing how everyone interprets that [at The Everest]. It’s definitely one of the most exciting days on the Sydney racing calendar for fashion,” Kate Waterhouse says.Waterhouse grew up around the racecourse, so by now, countless race days later, she can spot a fashion faux pas a mile away.Attending The Everest in Sydney and serving as a judge in the ATC Fashion Stakes, Waterhouse wore a lavender Acler dress with Ford Millinery hat to dish out her well-earned wisdom on what sets someone apart in the racewear competition.For her, the biggest style “ick” is when it’s clear someone looks out of place: “Racing fashion is a great opportunity to have fun and experiment, but you should still feel comfortable and confident.”Montana Cox at Randwick for The Everest.Audrey RichardsonJudging by the style set that moseyed around the Royal Randwick racecourse, many of them followed similar rules to Waterhouse.Model Montana Cox could wear a hessian sack and people would still probably reverse Google image search it to find out where they could get one just like it – such is the power when you’re as stunning as Cox.Supermodel superpowers aside, Cox looked striking in a blood-red strapless dress that featured a sheer floor-length skirt underneath and accessorised with a coordinating pillbox hat, which is fast becoming the headpiece of the season.Mariam Seddiq at The Everest Day at Randwick.Audrey RichardsonAnother strong fashion perspective came via Mariam Seddiq, a woman who doesn’t mince her words.The Australian designer was assured and concise when she spoke about the lessons in racewear style she’s learnt over the years.“Anything that needs constant adjusting is a big no. You should be able to move comfortably without the outfit losing impact,” she said.But her biggest racing fashion no-no? “Heels that come off before the final race.”Wearing a black and white dress that features a print of an artwork by Seddiq herself, the designer built her outfit around the frock.Nicely done.Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.From our partners