Crowds gather at the rails of Flemington Racecourse, where horse racing meets high fashion

by Admin
November 4, 2024

While luck can never be guaranteed in the betting circle, the weather is definitely on the punters’ side for the 164th Melbourne Cup.

The sunshine suited racegoers just fine, with many donning floral dresses and bright fascinators in honour of the occasion.

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) said 90,000 people were expected to attend today.

Thousands of people attended Flemington Racecourse.(ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Thousands of people attended Flemington Racecourse. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Racegoers hold hands in the air among a crowd of people. — Racegoers celebrate at the Melbourne Cup.(ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Racegoers celebrate the Melbourne Cup. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A group of men and women smiling at the camera with their hands in the air. — Festivities continued into the afternoon.(ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Festivities continued into the afternoon. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A man throws his hand in the air as he watches a screen. — Emotions were high during the Melbourne Cup race.(ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Emotions were high during the races. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast of a sunny day with light winds has played out, with temperatures nudging 24 degrees Celsius at Essendon Airport at 2pm.

VRC chairman Neil Wilson said the weather had added to the excitement of attracting a sell-out crowd and having the Melbourne Cup broadcast to more than 260 countries and territories.

“It’s a great day for Australia today,” Mr Wilson said.

“The first Tuesday in November always has a special feel about it as people in Melbourne are having a holiday and people around Australia are getting ready to share the day with family and friends and office parties.”

A group of four women in colourful dresses and headwear pose for a photo with a boy in a shirt and waistcoat. — Shades of pink and purple on display at the Melbourne Cup, where even the young wear waistcoats

(ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Shades of pink and purple on display at the Melbourne Cup, where even the young wear waistcoats. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A woman throws her arm into the air as she watches a race on a large screen erected at Flemington Racecourse. — Racegoers cheer on their horse as they watch a race on a large screen at Flemington Racecourse. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Racegoers cheer on their favourites as they watch a large screen at Flemington Racecourse. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A woman wearing a purple fascinator stands looking at the ornate gates of Flemington Racecourse. — Fascinators and flowers are on full display at Flemington Racecourse. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Fascinators and flowers brighten the field at Flemington Racecourse. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A high vantage point captures crowds of people standing at the edge of the track at Flemington Racecourse. — Crowds gather at the boundary of the track at Flemington Racecourse. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Crowds gather at the boundary of the track as the big race approaches at the Melbourne Cup. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

While the event draws yearly criticism from many animal rights advocates, Mr Wilson said post-COVID racing crowds were up, especially among younger punters.

He said 40 per cent of general admissions on Derby Day, which had attracted 81,000 people, were aged under 30.

“We’re seeing a really interesting comeback to the racing and … I think enjoying the fashion of racing,” he said.

Jack Dempsey and Bruce Armstrong have travelled to Melbourne from the remote city of Mt Isa in Queensland’s north-west.

“It’s an eye opener, a lot of people in one spot,” Mr Armstrong said.

Bruce Armstrong wears a blue collared shirt and cap and Jack Dempsey wears a red shirt, hat and sunglasses. — Bruce Armstrong and Jack Dempsey are from Mt Isa and say Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day is “an eye-opener”.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

“Half the people here would be nearly the size of our town.”

“I’m a bit nervous rather than excited,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Just being in the big city.”

Two women in fluorescent dresses pose with a third in a blue floral dress, and a man in a dark suit. — Fashions ranged from floral to fluorescent at Flemington Racecourse in the early afternoon sun.(ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Fashions ranged from floral to fluorescent at Flemington Racecourse in the early afternoon sun. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Two men walk through the Melbourne Cup, one in a yellow and black diamond-patterned suit and the other in a rainbow blazer. — There was no shortage of colours and patterns in the male attire at the Melbourne Cup this afternoon. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

There was no shortage of colours and patterns in the male attire at the Melbourne Cup. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A woman in a long leopard print dress walks with a man in a grey suit in the crowds of the Melbourne Cup. — Leopard print also made an appearance at the Melbourne Cup horse race today. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

Leopard print also made an appearance at the horse races today. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)

A dress code applies to racegoers heading into the VRC members’ areas, where “gentlemen” are required to wear a suit, tailored pants, tailored shorts on or below the knee, and a sports coat or blazer with a collared shirt, tie or bow tie, and dress shoes.

Ladies are expected to “maintain a suitable dress standard in keeping with the distinction of the Members Enclosure”.

Pink roses grow on a bush beside grass in front of a glass multi-storey building on a sunny day. — Flemington’s iconic roses line the walkways of the racecourse.(AAP: James Ross)

Racegoers are invited to wear the official flower of the day — the yellow rose — in their hat, lapel, or as inspiration for their outfit.

This morning, the racing began before the horses even hit the track, with eager punters charging in to get the best seats, and a spot by the rails.

A large crowd of well dressed people including some wearing hats and fascinators stand behind turnstiles. — Crowds line up at the gates waiting to enter Flemington for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

Crowds line up at the gates waiting to enter Flemington for the 2024 Melbourne Cup. (ABC News: Mietta Adams)

A large crowd of well dressed people run through the turnstiles, including some in suits, hats and fascinators. — The gates open at Flemington for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

The gates open. (ABC News: Mietta Adams)

A man in a suit runs ahead of a crowd of well dressed people coming through the turnstiles at Flemington. — The well-dressed dash for the best spots.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

The well-dressed dash for the best spots. (ABC News: Mietta Adams)

A well dressed woman with a red fascinator on her head leads the charge of men in suits through a turnstile. — Heels and fascinators don’t slow down racing fans as they dash for the best positions.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

Heels and fascinators don’t slow the racing fans. (ABC News: Mietta Adams)

Three men dressed in suits run over the brick ground towards the grandstand. — Racegoers rush to beat the 90,000 strong crowd to the best spots at Flemington.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

Racegoers rush to beat the 90,000 strong crowd. (ABC News: Mietta Adams)

Each year, Adrian Morissy and Scott Dixon line up early to get their favourite spot in the members’ bar to watch the races.

Today, they were at the front of the line, arriving an hour and a half before the gates were due to open.

“I’m just hoping I don’t tear a hamstring,” Mr Morissy joked.

Two smiling men dressed in suits, one with a purple striped shirt and purple tie and sunglasses on his head. — Adrian Morissy and Scott Dixon were warming up for a big rush through the gates at Flemington Racecourse.(ABC News: Mietta Adams)

A group from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses is holding its annual protest against the Melbourne Cup in a park opposite Flemington Racecourse.