The truth behind Matt Damon’s surprise attendance at Derby Day

The Melbourne Cup carnival has featured some famous, and even royal, attendees this year. But there was one Hollywood star who turned up unexpectedly over the weekend.

On the Jase & Lauren radio show this morning, co-host Lauren Phillips opened up about Matt Damon‘s surprise appearance at Derby Day on Saturday, November 4.

Phillips, who is friends with the American actor, 53, revealed Lexus was also in the dark about Damon’s surprise appearance at the LANDMARK by Lexus event.

“Lexus didn’t even know he was coming until the day before,” she confirmed.

Listen to the audio above.

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The radio host shared how Damon’s unexpected appearance with his wife Luciana Barroso was actually a years in the making plan. 

Explaining to her co-host Jason Hawkins, Phillips said the pair had spoken about Damon making a stop to the races Down Under “for a long time”.

“We’d been saying, ‘Oh, you’ve got to get to Melbourne, got to come to the races one year, it’s so much fun’ – and so this was the year,” she said.

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According to Phillips, Damon and his wife flew in on the Friday just for the races and then spent a “fun” weekend in Melbourne.

The radio star then joked about being “nervous” for next year’s races, saying there was pressure about what famous faces would be joining the duo after Elsa Pataky and Daniel MacPherson were spotted among their star-studded group.

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“They just came out. We had a bunch of friends. They love the horses and they love Melbourne, so I was excited,” Phillips said.

The Good Will Hunting star has frequently been spotted visiting and holidaying on Aussie shores over the years.

In 2021, Damon and his family even moved Down Under for six months during filming for Thor: Love and Thunder.

“I’m so excited that my family and I will be able to call Australia home for the next few months,” the actor said in a statement at the time.

“Australia definitely is the lucky country, and I can’t wait to show my family Australia’s down to earth people, breathtaking scenery and diverse culture.”