Cheers of joy rang out at Flemington Racecourse as Half Yours stormed past the post to claim the Melbourne Cup, making jockey Jamie Melham the second woman to win the prestigious race.
Tens of thousands of racegoers refused to let wintry conditions dampen their spirits, although the crowd had to carefully navigate soggy grass in heels and huddle under umbrellas during downpours.
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Melham made history as the first woman to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, a decade after Michelle Payne was the first to win the Cup.
British expat Chris Wilson picked Half Yours out of a hat in a workplace sweepstake and decided to back it again with a bookie at the track, netting some $170.
"This is the horse I got at work, it's the only reason I backed it so I've also won $100 from work as well," he said with a grin.
Bright red and bold block colours were popular fashion choices among celebrities and punters alike, with umbrellas the most popular accessory.
Cup champion Payne led the fashion pack with a short bright red dress, arriving at the racecourse with brother Stevie, who acted as strapper when Prince Of Penzance roared to victory a decade ago.
"It's a really special feeling and special moment, to have Stevie here again, it's just unbelievable," she told reporters at Flemington.
Helicopters buzzed overhead ferrying VIP guests to the exclusive Birdcage filled with high-profile guests, sports stars, socialites and titans of industry.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop chose a long orange dress for a busy day of marquee hopping but said wet weather played no part in her outfit choice.
"Rain, hail or shine, I had the outfit," she said.
MasterChef judge Melissa Leong wore a bright green long sleeve dress and was impressed by how the crowd played with different textures.
"For me, when it comes to spring racing it's all about watching the fashion," she said.
The revelry and glamour started early, as hundreds of punters arrived more than six hours before the race to nab the best spot trackside.
Friends Tiffany Price, Linda Kerr and Tamara Farrelly were overjoyed with the atmosphere after cruising down from Sydney.
Clad in sleeveless dresses, the trio quickly came up with a plan to stay warm: drink plenty of beer.
Fashionista Geannie Todaro used leftover fabric from her daughter's wedding dress to create a striking look that she entered into the annual Fashions on the Field competition.
"If you can wear it down the street, it's not race wear so for race day we go all out," she said.
Greta Bradman, granddaughter of cricketing great Sir Donald Bradman, performed the national anthem just before the main race at 3pm.
Opposition to the event has grown, with dozens protesting opposite the track chanting "horse racing kills" as 'Nup to the Cup' supporters gathered on the other side of the city.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said many people now refused to associate themselves with racing.
"I know that in my lifetime we will start to see this industry fall apart," she said.
Attendance at the track for the Cup steadily increased in recent years with about 90,000 people through the gates in 2024, although that was still below 2003's record attendance of 122,000 people.
Australian Associated Press
