Throw in some mates from the media and a few sports stars and you have a bar bill in excess of $100,000 at one of Melbourne’s most exclusive establishments. And considering who delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of the owners and lifted the cup, it stands to reason the leader picks up the tab. “Someone has to deliver the presentations speech and take the trophy and someone also has to pay the bill for the afterparty, so it’s a double-edged sword,” owner Brae Sokolski told Sheahan Ink this week.Verry Elleegant’s prize money was left untouched despite winning the Melbourne Cup, with Brae dipping into his personal account for a little flutter. Fortuitously, Brae’s little flutter netted him a handsome haul allowing him to spend the equivalent of a home deposit on festivities at Society restaurant and bar in Collins Street, Melbourne. “Put it this way, it was a six-figure sum,” Brae said of the bill. “I’m just fortunate that I had a bet on Verry Elleegant and as always she has looked after me, that mighty mare, in more ways than one. “So Verry Elleegant footed the bill for that one, not me,” he said. Brae, his partner Chloe Frost and his seven mates backed up again Thursday, which was in lieu of a Melbourne Cup tradition. “It was an impromptu decision,” he told us. “One of the boys messaged at 11am and said, ‘let’s go to Flower Drum’ and we thought, why not? Let’s do it. “There were seven thorns and one rose, in my girlfriend, who is like one of the boys. “We had a fantastic lunch which is historically the venue for Melbourne Cup winners and there was something special about being there, even it was not on the Tuesday night, but to be there in the aftermath of the victory felt like a real sense of victory about it.” Melbourne’s reputation as the sporting capital was not lost on former resident Brae, who found himself in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD Friday. A month ago, Brae was well-known in business circles, as well as the racing industry. Now he is dealing with new-found fame.“I think that’s going to be very fleeting and I have noticed it,” he said.“It was quite embarrassing walking around Melbourne’s CBD today having people toot their horns and saying ‘congratulations’, who were complete strangers. “It’s honestly very humbling and overwhelming. I don’t enjoy that aspect of it and it’s certainly of consolation to know that this is a moment of fleeting fame and I’ll be long forgotten next week when racing is back in the middle pages and not on the front pages of the paper and I’m yesterday’s news.”The founder of Maxcap group, Brae now lives in Bondi where he is able to escape the sports-obsessed city of Melbourne, where he grew up. “The anonymity of being back in Sydney, where obviously the race, while still being very high profile, doesn’t hold the same cache as it does in Melbourne. “If I’ve helped promote the sport of racing in any way, then I’m very proud of that.“And I’ll continue to do anything I can to help promote the sport and help people in to racehorse ownership, which I’m so passionate about. “I’m even coercing friends into the sport because I know even if they’re not racing people; to experience racehorse ownership is one of the most special things you can do,” he said. In addition to having a stake in Verry Elleegant, he is also an owner of Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise. Incentivise came runner up to Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup. Asked which occasion was more enjoyable, Brae said nothing can beat the adrenaline of being trackside. Winning Melbourne Cup jockey James McDonald calls his Melbourne Cup victory on Verry Elleegant.“I would have to say being in Melbourne for Verry Elleegant. “I think for two reasons; one the Caulfield cup is incredibly close to my heart. The racecourse is one kilometre from where I grew up “It felt like a home away from home. It’s a race that’s particularly close to my heart and obviously with a horse that not only won the Caulfield cup but won it in a fashion of true champion. “It’s not just about winning the race but how you win it and that was a particularly special moment. “But, taking out the Melbourne Cup and being at Flemington with a huge group of family and friends – in the city that’s been most impacted by lockdowns, and at a point in time where it’s finally coming out with a real sense of renaissance – having this magnificent champion mare and creating history. “Hopefully inspiring Melburnians at a time of adversity, it’s hard to top I think.” Brae was due back in Sydney this weekend for some rest and relaxation, after a big few days. A dinner with trainer Chris Waller and his stable, as well as friends to share in the momentous occasion, is next on the schedule. HOW DE GOEY PLANS TO FIGHT ASSAULT CHARGESCollingwood bad boy Jordan De Goey has told Collingwood’s top brass he was acting in self defence the night he was jailed in New York. De Goey is due to face a Manhattan court on December 8 charged with assault after a fight ensued inside the Dream Nightclub in up-market Chelsea. The tattooed star was drinking with mate and tattoo artist Luke Dyson last Saturday night celebrating Halloween in the Big Apple when he was set upon by a male and female. De Goey has told Collingwood the female of the duo was stealing drinks from himself and Dyson by entering their private roped-off area inside the club. She is alleged to have done this on more than one occasion. The male has then pushed De Goey. Twice, allegedly. De Goey is then alleged to have punched the offender. Dyson proceeded to strike the same male with a bottle, as alleged in previous reports. Nightclub bouncers were alerted to the scuffle ejecting the female and male duo. Outside, the pair are believed to have called the police claiming De Goey and Dyson touched the female — a claim De Goey vehemently disputes. De Goey and Dyson were subsequently jailed. These charges have since been dropped, but the high-profile footballer and his mate still face a court hearing on December 8. Jay Z and Harvey Weinstein’s high profile lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, is now representing De Goey. Brafman has assigned Jacob Kaplan to the case. Dyson is reported to be relying on legal aid as stated in the charge report. Kaplan released a statement on behalf of De Goey to the Australian media Friday afternoon with an interesting side note, the release was via the AFL Players Association. Collingwood was also contacted. De Goey was due to fly home on November 16 but will now spend an extra three weeks in the United States until his court hearing. TREASURER FRYDENBERG COPS A SERVEExclusive Kooyong lawn tennis club was the venue; the combatants, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and tennis star Sam Groth. The high-profile pair met for a hit of tennis after enduring months of lockdown in Melbourne. “It was great to catch up with Sam for a hit down at Kooyong,” Frydenberg said of Groth. “To say he has a mean serve is an understatement.“We had a lot of fun and have already been in touch to organise another game.” The Treasurer even managed to poke fun at himself in a very self-deprecating fashion. “If I told you I held my own as a desk bound 50-year-old I know you wouldn’t believe me,” he told Sheahan Ink. Few would be aware of Frydenberg’s ability with a racquet, winning the Kooyong 1996 men’s championship, while Groth is credited with slamming down one of the fastest serves in professional tennis history and a ranking as high as no. 53 in the world. MELBOURNE RADIO HOST CALLS THE COPS Kiis FM breakfast host Lauren Phillips’ week has gone from bad to worse. After an emotional week dealing with the fallout from an off-the-cuff remark involving a 15-year-old’s murder, Phillips was followed home from Kiis FM’s Richmond studios after her breakfast program on Friday by photographers eager to capture a raw image. Phillips arrived home and called police on the photographers. The boys in blue arriving soon after. As the rozzers arrived to speak with the pair, Phillips didn’t wait around for the outcome and sped off. The local members from the force quizzed the snappers for around two minutes, satisfied no crime was committed, but baffled at the same time as to why they were called in the first placeNIXON COULD SOON BE LIVING IN BENDIGO AFL player manager pioneer Ricky Nixon is considering moving back to his home town of Bendigo. Nixon and his partner Melissa have been researching the local property market with the intention to buy if the price is right. The 58-year-old has told friends he will keep his Port Melbourne penthouse, should the move be short-lived. Melissa works for Melbourne money magnate Gerry Ryan and can work remotely. BAILEY PARTIES WITH INFLUENCERSWestern Bulldog bachelor Bailey Smith is living up to his off-field reputation, spotted with six model influencers on the Gold Coast. Smith rose to fame this year with his unique hairstyle, ripped torso and obvious attraction from the opposite sex. The AFL’s newest sex symbol headed to the Gold Coast after the Bulldogs’ grand final loss where he was spotted partying with quite a few females. Friends of Smith say he is enjoying the off-season as well as the attention. SHEAHAN INK SECRET SHORTS Which AFL media heavyweight nearly came to blows with his entrepreneurial son last weekend?An innocent conversation escalated very quickly with the son storming towards the father with a clenched fist before pushing him up against a wall. Fierce words were exchanged between the stubborn individuals. The son vacated the premises as the media man left him with one parting shot: “I never want to see you again”. Sources say it will be a frosty Christmas at the family gathering, if they can’t settle their differences. But highly doubtful either will extend an olive branch this year or next.
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