Latest news with #Afloat
Time Out
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Olá! The theme for Afloat's tenth season has been revealed – and we're going to Rio de Janeiro
If you're anything like us, you've probably spent the past few weeks glued to the Afloat Instagram account, trying to decode the clues and figure out just where in the world this year's theme is taking inspo from. Well, if you guessed the exhilarating and electrifying city of Rio de Janeiro, congrats – you're right on the money. Yep, in celebration of the beloved on-water bar's tenth (!!) season, the Afloat team is bringing all the colour, chaos and creativity of the Brazilian city to the Yarra River. That means a whole new look and vibe, including fresh interiors, tasty food and drink options, and a red-hot entertainment program. 'Think of Rio de Janeiro and golden sand, shimmering beaches, a mountainous backdrop and the lively percussion of samba echoing in the distance will likely come to mind,' says HQ Group's chief marketing officer, Georgie Larkins. 'The city is a lively, pulsating party that blends natural beauty, architectural icons, historical legacy and creative talents.' From a design perspective, think umbrellas in lush shades of green, ocean-blue awnings and furnishings in sunset-inspired shades. There will also be plenty of natural materials (wood, rattan, rope), bright ceramic pots and a rainforest worth of lush tropical plants and palms. With Rio's fun beachfront drinking culture in mind, the cocktail list has been curated to hero all varieties of fresh fruit – we're talking everything from guava, passionfruit and açai to watermelon, pineapple and citrus. Standout bevvies include the Passionfruit Pisco Sour, Raspberry Chilcano and a dedicated frozen section of Batidas, Daiquiris and Pina Coladas. But it's the food we're most excited about. Brazilian cuisine is a cultural melting point, drawing on techniques and flavours from places like Portugal, Africa, Japan, Colombia and Venezuela. The menu is set to feature street food snacks like arepas, empanadas, fried cheese and crispy prawns, along with a dedicated grill section that pays homage to South America's love of chargrilling. And because it wouldn't be a Rio theme without a touch of Carnival, there will be a jam-packed program of fun events, including salsa classes and full-venue parties (BYO feathered headpieces and bejewelled body suits, of course). Afloat officially opens on Friday, August 29 for walk-ins only. Bookings are available from Friday, September 5 onwards. To find out more, head to the website.
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Widdup chasing home track premiership in final meeting of season
Trainer Brad Widdup is banking on a strength of numbers to give him a successful day at Hawkesbury on Sunday as he chases his home track premiership. Widdup will have five runners in sits equal with the Annabel and Rob Archibald team for winners at the Clarendon course heading into the final meeting of the racing season. Widdup kicks off the day when Afloat lines up in the HRC Motel Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m) with Christian Reith taking the ride. 'Afloat is a former Godolphin horse that we bought, and he's had a couple of solid trials for us leading into his first run for us,' said Widdup. 'He looks ready to run well fresh.' Tequisoda will contest the Blakes Marine Maiden Plate (1500m) with Reith also taking the ride. 'He's a Pierro colt that didn't have much go right for him at the start on debut at Wyong,' Widdup said. 'He's suited by the 1500m, and it looks a nice race for him on Sunday.'
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race-by-race tips and preview for Hawkesbury meeting on Sunday
(Selections based on a soft track) Race 1 1. Afloat has been placed in two of his four starts. He was spelled after a second at Kembla Grange and resumes here on the back of two barrier trials, finishing in the placings in each of them at Warwick Farm and Rosehill. He looks poised to sprint well fresh. 3. Tambeloa is a Tagaloa colt that debuted with a third in a small field at Newcastle. He can figure prominently here with the benefit of that experience. 4. Zougotime is on debut after four trials in total. He ran fourth in the latest of them at this track. 8. Share The Joy is resuming from a spell and was placed in a trial at this track in preparation. How to play it: Afloat WIN. Race 2 9. Tequisoda had a number of trials before making his debut with a second at Wyong. He was only beaten a little over 1.5 lengths in that event and looks suited by the step up to 1500m. 7. The Cristal ran fifth at Orange at her only start at Orange late last year and could be placed here, while 2. The Iron Star has the ability to run into the money. 6. Painted Wings has only had two starts and could show up in this small field without surprising. How to play it: Tequisoda WIN. Race 3 9. Powerhouse has had three trials in total and two recently in preparation for his first start here. He ran second in the latest of them at Warwick Farm and has the advantage of barrier one in this. 7. Gladstone Grange debuted with a sixth out of six in the Kirkham Plate at Randwick last October. He resumes here after a couple of trials. 5. Disparate is an I Am Invincible colt on debut after four trials, including two recent hitouts. 6. Don't What Me won the latest of his trials leading into this debut and bears close watching. How to play it: Powerhouse WIN. Race 4 4. Vanlee is a Joseph Pride-trained filly that ran well when finishing third behind Dyami at Warwick Farm at her second run back from a spell. She is yet to miss a place from three starts and has drawn ideally in barrier one. 6. Zing To Me ran an improved race when a last-start second at this track and should figure in the finish again. 9. Vidia is making her debut and has shown enough in her trials to be rated a chance, while 5. Yvette disappointed when resuming, but can improve. How to play it: Vanlee WIN.
The Age
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Widdup chasing home track premiership in final meeting of season
Trainer Brad Widdup is banking on a strength of numbers to give him a successful day at Hawkesbury on Sunday as he chases his home track premiership. Widdup will have five runners in sits equal with the Annabel and Rob Archibald team for winners at the Clarendon course heading into the final meeting of the racing season. Widdup kicks off the day when Afloat lines up in the HRC Motel Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m) with Christian Reith taking the ride. 'Afloat is a former Godolphin horse that we bought, and he's had a couple of solid trials for us leading into his first run for us,' said Widdup. 'He looks ready to run well fresh.' Tequisoda will contest the Blakes Marine Maiden Plate (1500m) with Reith also taking the ride. 'He's a Pierro colt that didn't have much go right for him at the start on debut at Wyong,' Widdup said. 'He's suited by the 1500m, and it looks a nice race for him on Sunday.'
The Age
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Race-by-race tips and preview for Hawkesbury meeting on Sunday
(Selections based on a soft track) Race 1 1. Afloat has been placed in two of his four starts. He was spelled after a second at Kembla Grange and resumes here on the back of two barrier trials, finishing in the placings in each of them at Warwick Farm and Rosehill. He looks poised to sprint well fresh. 3. Tambeloa is a Tagaloa colt that debuted with a third in a small field at Newcastle. He can figure prominently here with the benefit of that experience. 4. Zougotime is on debut after four trials in total. He ran fourth in the latest of them at this track. 8. Share The Joy is resuming from a spell and was placed in a trial at this track in preparation. How to play it: Afloat WIN. Race 2 9. Tequisoda had a number of trials before making his debut with a second at Wyong. He was only beaten a little over 1.5 lengths in that event and looks suited by the step up to 1500m. 7. The Cristal ran fifth at Orange at her only start at Orange late last year and could be placed here, while 2. The Iron Star has the ability to run into the money. 6. Painted Wings has only had two starts and could show up in this small field without surprising. How to play it: Tequisoda WIN. Race 3 9. Powerhouse has had three trials in total and two recently in preparation for his first start here. He ran second in the latest of them at Warwick Farm and has the advantage of barrier one in this. 7. Gladstone Grange debuted with a sixth out of six in the Kirkham Plate at Randwick last October. He resumes here after a couple of trials. 5. Disparate is an I Am Invincible colt on debut after four trials, including two recent hitouts. 6. Don't What Me won the latest of his trials leading into this debut and bears close watching. How to play it: Powerhouse WIN. Race 4 4. Vanlee is a Joseph Pride-trained filly that ran well when finishing third behind Dyami at Warwick Farm at her second run back from a spell. She is yet to miss a place from three starts and has drawn ideally in barrier one. 6. Zing To Me ran an improved race when a last-start second at this track and should figure in the finish again. 9. Vidia is making her debut and has shown enough in her trials to be rated a chance, while 5. Yvette disappointed when resuming, but can improve. How to play it: Vanlee WIN.
