Choisir carries off the Oaks

Crowds of more than 100,000 attended the Melbourne Cup Carnival's Oaks Day yesterday - the traditional ladies' day of the Carnival.

Highlight of the meeting was the Emirates Classic Group 2 Weight-for-Age race of 1200 metres sponsored by Dubai-based Emirates airline. It was a good win for three-year-old Choisir, who came home at half a length ahead of Falvelon at second finish. Belle du Jour came in third.

Maurice Flanagan, Emirates Group Managing Director, presented trophies to winning jockey Glen Boss, trainer Paul Perry, and owners Mrs DJW and Miss HA Wallace and Mr PM and Mrs CA Perry.

The race, which later became the Emirates Classic, was first run back in 1908. This race then formed part of Emirates' original sponsorship partnership with the Victoria Racing Club in 1997.

The award-winning airline's involvement with the Melbourne Cup Carnival expanded in 1998 with Emirates becoming the naming rights sponsor of Emirates Stakes Day.

The Emirates marquee today continued to attract key celebrities and media attention for its elegant look and five-star hospitality.