Source :- THE AGE NEWS
“Let me entertain you,” Williams roars into the microphone.
The crowd willingly complies with his request.
Best friends Anne-Mariee and Colleen have been to the Melbourne Cup several times, but this year, they’re specifically here for Williams.
Veteran investment banker and chair of the Australian Sports Commission, John Wylie, has a different hat on trackside at Flemington as part-owner of well-supported Melbourne Cup hopeful Point Of Law.
Wylie is at the track with his wife, Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie, and is preparing to watch the race from the Mounting Yard.
He owns 10 per cent of the three-year-old British colt, which was bought from King Charles.
“Let me entertain you,” he urges, as a couple of dozen dancers waving gold flags fill the yard, and he dashes off to who knows where, though from my position in the members, it looks a lot like the finishing post.
Flames burst, and plumes of yellow and pink smoke erupt, and almost as suddenly as it started it’s over.
Fifteen minutes of bespoke Robbie Williams. Let him entertain us? Any time.
He cuts into Rock DJ pretty quickly. It’s a similar approach to the one he took at the AFL grand final back in 2022.
But wait, not so quick: That’s close to a full version of his club banger.
And then he’s off the stage again, wandering across the grass to get up close and personal with the crowd as he leads a mass singalong of Angels.
Say what you will about Robbie Williams, but there aren’t many people who can work a crowd as well as he can.
The avalanche of money has continued for UK raider Hopewell Rock, sending the UK raider into outright favouritism for the Melbourne Cup.
The initial damage was wrought by a group of big-punting Irishmen at Monday’s Call of the Card. They whacked $1 million on Hopewell Rock to win $9.6 million.
The horse shortened from $10 into $8.50 yesterday, but has since tightened into $6.50 on the TAB.
There’s something bugging me about Robbie Williams’ performance.
But to be fair, it’s not his fault.
For those watching at home, there was a special guest performer who appeared for a minute when an insect made itself at home on the camera lens.
But there was no bugging out by anyone.
When the broadcast switched to a different camera and then returned to the man of the moment, the guest had taken flight.
The show must go on!
Like the thoroughbred he is, Robbie Williams struts his way across the mounting yard, chin up, chest out, head tilted back, resplendent in a blue jacket.
The band is 10-strong, but they have to start without the main man, as he’s making the most of the crowd love, taking his time to make it to the stage through a phalanx of dancers wielding yellow parasols, while singing Real Love.
Wait, is there a horse race on today? You’d be forgiven for forgetting about the 3pm race because the main event for the fans gathered near the Mounting Yard is the one and only … Robbie Williams
“I love you, Robbie,” one fan yells out as the British legend steps onto the stage to perform before the Melbourne Cup.
After a miserable grey morning, the sun has emerged from the clouds and is shining brightly at Flemington.
Williams gives the screaming crowd a smile before launching into his hit, Feel
Williams will also perform a concert later today, after the races wrap up.
In the minutes before Robbie Williams is due to play, the Mounting Yard is a hive of activity, as a dozen-or-so roadies assemble a modular stage, and get the squeegee on it to do their best to ensure the star doesn’t come a cropper.
High up in the Members, his band has assembled for a quick look at the scene, before disappearing below in preparation for the main event.
Musically speaking, at least.
