While Australians were transfixed by the high drama and high fashion of Flemington on Tuesday, another race was gearing up to bring the nation to a standstill — or at least a small corner of it.
But the annual stakes at the Berry Springs Tavern on the outskirts of Darwin is not your average race day.
Unlike the Melbourne Cup almost 4,000 kilometres due south-south-east, there are no thoroughbreds, there’s no grandstand and there’s certainly no multi-million-dollar prize pool.
The ninth annual Crocodile Races held at Berry Springs drew hundreds of Top Enders dressed in their territory finest — a dissonant jumble of fascinators and thongs.
A long tail and strong hind legs are said to be the characteristics to watch out for in a champion saltie. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Fifteen young saltwater crocs sourced from a local wildlife park were let loose down a hay bale track along the front of the tavern as crowds watched on from the pub’s verandah.
Crocodylus Park crocodile keeper Payton Prosser was on hand to wrangle the gaggle of carnivores, which he said had undergone a rigorous training regimen to prepare for the day.
“This morning they did a couple of laps in the pool,” he explained.
“Then they come here [to the pub], get a rub down, a full massage and they’re ready to race”.
Crocodile keeper Payton Prosser makes sure the competitors get a good rub down before the race begins. (ABC News: Jayden O’Neill)
Mr Prosser said there were a couple of key characteristics to look out for when picking a winner, including a long tail and strong hind legs.
While many of the names in the Berry Springs field might make southern racegoers blush if published in The Argus on race day, among those fit to print were Croc and Roll, Silly Sausage and Danger Noodle.
But it was Kim Crocdashian, Soft Croc and Jim’s Small Croc that were first past the tape during the day’s three heats and several railbirds also went home winners.
Chloe was all smiles after taking out her signature event with Soft Croc. (ABC News: Isabella Tolhurst)
Keen punters could buy raffle tickets which then went into a sweep, sending the winning croc and their corresponding ticketholder home with a carton of beer.
While less glamorous than its southern counterpart, the crocodile races drew crowds from around the country.
A group of women from New South Wales, in Darwin for a girl’s week, told the ABC the croc races had fast become a trip highlight.
“I’ve never seen a crocodile race, so it’s quite interesting. Better than horses, that’s for sure.”
Others had travelled from even further afield, among them Italian waitress Francesca Bianci, who said she was taken in by the atmosphere at the event.
“Everything is big. Australia is huge. Everything has to be a big deal and I love it. I simply love it,” she gushed.
But the event’s strongest backers are its local supporters, and it was a special day in more ways than one for Darren and Leonie, who chose the occasion to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Leonie celebrated her wedding anniversary at the same venue where she met her husband Darren. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
“This is our local now. We met here … we had our wedding here last year and now we’re enjoying celebrations for our anniversary here today,” the couple said.
The event is only growing bigger and more elaborate each year, with fashions on the field competitions, live music and new this year, camel rides.
Handler Nader Soliman said it was a great event to be a part of.
The camels that made an appearance during Tuesday’s festivities were strictly for riding, not racing. (ABC News: Isabella Tolhurst)
“We’re all doing a little bit to excite the community,” he said, before hastening to clarify that the camels were exclusively for riding and not racing, despite being up for the task.
“They can race — I’ve never raced a camel — but these ones are not trained for racing,” he said.
And for those who prefer their day at the track with a little less bite, there’s always the Noonamah Frog Races at the tavern down the road.
