Spring cup smile

By Kath Gannaway
DRAWING barrier numbers for the Caulfield Cup has been one of many magic moments Nicole Eastmure of Seville is enjoying as the Melbourne Racing Club’s Face of Caulfield.
“Spring racing is a favourite time of the year for me so I thought I would enter the competition and see where it led,” said Nicole, a flight supervisor with Virgin Blue.
A clear winner ahead of a field of more than 60 contestants, Nicole has had to pinch herself more than once over the past four weeks to be sure it’s all not just a dream.
“Since the launch a month ago all my spare time has been involved in filming, photo-shoots, luncheons and fashion parades.
“It’s brilliant and unbelievable at the same time.
“I’ve had my own fashion stylist, which every girl would love, been decked out in diamonds for every event and generally treated like royalty.”
Nicole will share the limelight on Caulfield Cup day with another family member who made a name in racing.
Her grandfather, 87-year-old Doug Lovekin, will join other former jockeys in the cup day parade.
Mr Lovekin, a jockey in the 1930s and ‘40s, won the Nhill Cup, the Grenville Handicap at Morphettville and had a lot of winners in Malaysia and India.
Her father, YVMDFL umpire Will Eastmure, mother Susan and four sisters and brother will also be there.
As part of her prize, Nicole won a $9000 holiday to Thailand, $3000 worth of diamonds and a modelling contract.
While her spring racing role will come to a close with the running of the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, it may not be the end of the fairytale.
“If other opportunities come my way from this, that will be fantastic and I’ll give it my best shot,” Nicole said.
“But, if life goes back to what it is then that’s great, too,” Nicole said.
“I’m having a great life and I’ve been very, very lucky.”