A host of champions will visit the Birdcage Enclosure including Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassadors Ariarne Titmus OAM and Michelle Payne OAM, Australian actress Rachel Griffiths AM, racing royalty Kate Waterhouse and social personality Anna McEvoy as guests of Lexus, Melbourne Storm player Ryan Papenhuyzen and former Australian Olympic long jumper David Culbert for Nine, and Victoria Racing Club ambassador and fashionista Crystal Kimber-Peters.

More than $600,000 has already been raised by the Victoria Racing Club’s Pin & Win campaign for charity partner Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania, smashing the previous record of $548,000 last year. 

This will allow RMHC VIC & TAS to provide more than 3,750 nights of free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families of seriously ill children receiving paediatric care in hospital. 

Pin sales continue on TAB Champions Stakes Day, with Lexus Melbourne Cup pins priced at $10 and diamante horseshoe pins priced at $15. 

The draw closes at 4pm on Saturday 9 November, with the winners announced at 6:05pm in the Flemington Mounting Yard. First place winner will drive away in a brand new Lexus RZ 450e Sports Luxury valued at over $148,000, including on-road costs.

Pin & Win Ambassadors Brodie Young, Brad Johnson and Ross Stevenson will be on-course to promote the campaign.

The official flower of the day has been changed from a red rose to a red poppy in support of the RSL Poppy Appeal, with volunteers selling poppies across the racecourse.