In the Cup Birdcage it's a business doing pleasure Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes with brand ambassador Jennifer Hawkins and Blinc International director Brian Levine. IT'S a day not just for picking winners on the turf but also for squaring up contacts and options on the business side. With booze flowing freely in the famed Birdcage, many business leaders grab a few marquee invitations for the chance to network, catch up and find out the latest inside running with players who often let their guard down. This year was no exception and two deals dominated: the very public float of Nine Entertainment and the extraordinary bidding war for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter. Lion, the Japanese-owned food group that has elbowed its way into Warrnambool's share register with a 9.99 per cent blocking stake, hosts a traditional watering hole for business leaders in the Birdcage and this year those sipping beers in the company's James Boag's marquee might have spotted some of its advisers from Greenhill. The investment bank's Ron Malek and Jamie Garis were on hand, as were some key Lion players, including chief executive Stuart Irvine and general counsel Duncan Makeig. Gary Dawson of the Australian Food and Grocery Council was enjoying the hospitality, as was one elder statesman of Australian business, Rod Eddington. Across the lane at Tabcorp, the business of betting was under way early. Other marquees pull in the big names, but Tabcorp is not surprisingly the venue for the serious betting crowd. Chief executive David Attenborough, whose guest list included plenty of sports people (former Wallabies Stirling Mortlock and John Eales were spotted), said the main game was the tote. "For many people here the marquees are about the TV stars and the celebrities, music and dancing," he said. That's all fine, but we like to focus on the betting. And the clients from the business community who are here reflect that. His friend and serious punter Elmer Funke Kupper, chief executive of the ASX, reflected that approach, as did Sky Racing chief operating officer Brendan Parnell. Myers chief executive Bernie Brookes held court in his marquee as he does every year and welcomed a mix of celebrities, including Jennifer Hawkins and sports identities such as AFL player Chris Judd. Brookes said the Myer marquee, one of the largest in the Birdcage, had again been a success this year. From our perspective, the marquee was as fun and entertaining as it has been in previous years. It turned into a bit of a nightclub about 5pm today," he said. It serves a valuable commercial purpose for sales and for boosting our fashion credentials, as well as giving us the opportunity to reward some of our hardworking staff for their efforts throughout the year. But it was the Emirates marquee that attracted most of Australia's power elite, as it usually does. And because it was the first racing carnival since the announcement of its joint venture with Qantas, many business watchers were looking for how the deal was playing out at this level. Boutros Boutros, Emirates' divisional senior vice-president, told The Australian the deal was reflected well in the hospitality at the marquee. "Everyone likes the high-profile side, including our clients and business people," he said. Is it important? Well people like it and that's what brings the media in and the sponsorship. It fits our image. But yes, business people like to be here with contacts. Asked if Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce had been a guest yesterday, Boutros replied: "Alan? No Alan. But there are some Qantas people here and (marketing executives) Andrew Parker and Olivia Wirth . . . and there are two Qantas cabin crew downstairs. Emirates Australasia executive Bryan Banston and regional commercial chief Barry Brown played host while The Australian found Nine director Jeffrey Browne with his partner and property developer Rhonda Wyllie getting into the spirit of things, although not enough to shed light on the IPO. "I'm recreating," he said, when asked about the Nine float, before adding that chief executive David Gyngell's current overseas roadshow would "undoubtedly interest many investors." Perth mining entrepreneur Tony Sage (Cape Lambert) was enjoying not just sharing his tips but also the arrival of his new employee at soccer team Perth Glory, the former France international and English Premier League player William Gallas. Graham Turner, chief executive of Flight Centre, admitted a trip to the Birdcage was as much about "deals and networking" as it was the races. "There's a few Qantas people here and industry contacts and that means a few deals get done," he said. Not in the Birdcage, but enjoying the races from the Terrace, was Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner, who showed his ability to keep picking winners not just in programming stakes but on the turf. In the same week that horse racing's broadcaster set a record in primetime audience share, Worner was generous with his tipping among colleagues and friends. The Perth boy tipped Mount Athos and Fiorente to place in the big race. The Australian also saw Pernod Ricard managing director Julien Hemard enjoying the day with Mumm Martell Perrier-Jouet chairman Philippe Guettat, and MMPJ managing director Michel Letter was spotted with Victorian Premier Denis Napthine.