Thousands of glammed up racegoers are celebrating after watching the Melbourne Cup, showing plenty of skin and a host of bizarre new fashion trends.
After nervously clutching their betting slips for the big race, once Without a Fight crossed first about 3.03pm Melbourne time the tension eased and the partying really began.
It was Western Australia-born jockey Mark Zahra’s second successive Melbourne Cup winning ride, after he took Gold Trip across the line first in 2022.
Tense racegoers turned into happy revellers after Without A Fight crossed first in the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday
With the big race over, a lucky few flashed their winning smiles trackside across the nation. The trifecta paid over $10,000
The customary kicking-off-of-the-heels followed the exciting conclusion of the main face, with well-behaved punters turning into barefoot partygoers
Sun’s out, tongue’s out: The partying was already getting interesting for some before the sun set on the day’s racing
Thousands of punters were in the mood to party before during and especially after Australia’s biggest race, the Melbourne Cup
In 2023 Soulcombe stormed to second, with Sheraz also pulling clear of the pack to fill the places, and for the lucky few, to complete the trifecta, which paid a handsome $10,668.10.
One lucky punter put a massive $140,000 on the nose for Without a Fight, ridden by Mark Zahra.
He got $7.50 for the win, meaning his courageous punt paid out over a million dollars.
The way the drinks were flowing across the nation you’d be forgiven for thinking there were new millionaires everywhere.
While the beers, wines and spirits – and waters – had flowed all day, the celebrations kicked into high gear in the late afternoon at racetracks in Melbourne and Sydney and around Australia.
Some punters had hundreds and even thousands of reasons to celebrate, while for others disappointment filled their plastic cups.
But it hardly mattered when surrounded by your mates at Australia’s biggest and most glamorous mid-week party.
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The customary kicking-off-of-the-heels followed the exciting conclusion of the main event, with well-behaved punters turning into barefoot partygoers en route to post-race festivities.
With the weather fine and warm at most venues, revellers took the chance to show some skin as they cut loose.
Whether the choice of tipple was water or wine, the celebrations were enthusiastic at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington
A group of racegoers break into song at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon after Without A Fight crossed first
Jockey Mark Zahra celebrates winning on his horse Without A Fight in the $8.4million race that stops a nation
The tension ramped up as the field turned for home before Without A Fight, with Zahra on board, broke clear to win easily
Not everyone can be a winner, but there was still plenty of reason to smile at Australia’s biggest and most glamorous mid-week party
The fashions are always a key part of the Spring Racing Carnival and the calendar’s biggest race day, but this year has seen a huge shift.
Punters and celebrities swapped modest frocks for daring cut-outs, sexy sheer skirts, shorts and, perhaps the most surprising, sneakers.
The unbelievable new fashion trend taking hold trackside at the 2023 Melbourne Cup: ‘This changes everything’
Shorts and sneakers were spotted trackside at the Melbourne Cup
Traditionally punters and celebrities dress up for the traditional event
Instead of the usual heels and dress shoes usually seen, sneakers are now acceptable at Flemington, with those in possession of general admission tickets asked only to ‘dress suitably in your favourite racewear’.
There was no official dress code for GA punters.
