Melbourne Cup: glammed up racegoers let loose after watching the ‘race that stops the nation’

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.

With the big race over, a lucky few flashed their winning smiles trackside across the nation

The customary kicking-off-of-the-heels followed the exciting conclusion of the main event, with well-behaved punters turning into barefoot partygoers

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 Australia’s biggest race

At Flemington 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, paying out over a million dollars.

The way the drinks were flowing across the nation you’d be forgiven for thinking new millionaires were everywhere. 

While the beers, wines and spirits had flowed all day, the celebrations kicked into high gear in the late afternoon at racetracks in Melbourne and Sydney and around Australia.

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

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. 

It was the 163rd running of Australia’s biggest horse race.