Racegoers have begun pouring through the turnstiles at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup, undeterred by grey skies, light rainfall and ominous clouds.
Over 100,000 punters are expected to brave the gloomy weather to watch ‘the race that stops the nation’ in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Early showers, plunging temperatures and biting winds will threaten to spoil the day – with forecasters predicting the coldest Melbourne Cup in 43 years.
But if the chilling temperatures – just 10 degrees at 9am – were supposed to dampen the spirits of the growing crowd, they certainly didn’t get the memo.
Racegoers have begun pouring through the turnstiles at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup
Undeterred: Glamorous racegoers have braved the weather to watch ‘the race that stops the nation’ in Melbourne on Tuesday
Gloomy weather: Metereologists forecast the temperature won’t tip 17 degrees all day, marking the coldest Cup in 43 years
If the chilling temperatures – just 10 degrees at 9am – were supposed to dampen the spirits of the growing crowd, they certainly didn’t get the memo
A woman covers her outfit with a waterproof jacket as she joins a growing crowd hoping to get into Flemington early
Four men dressed in novelty suits pose for a photograph with the statue of legendary trainer Bart Cummings
Punters dressed in novelty suits covered in money cheerfully posed for photographs as glamorous women protected their matching fascinators with umbrellas.
Jacob Cronje, a senior meteorologist at Weatherzone, told Daily Mail Australia it ‘definitely wouldn’t be warm’ on Tuesday.
‘While it won’t be particularly wet, there will only be a top of 16 to 17 degrees,’ he said.
‘The temperature will feel a bit colder because of south-westerly winds – it could be quite chilly as it rains in the morning, especially with that wind.’
The Bureau of Meteorology has flagged winds at up to 35 kilometres an hour on Tuesday, meaning those planning on a flirty skirt for the race that stops a nation should consider something more weighted.
Early showers, plunging temperatures and biting winds will threaten to spoil the day
Over 100,000 punters are expected to make their way to Flemington Racecourse for the Cup
Ponchos, umbrellas and raincoats appeared to be the early accessory of the day, as rain continued to fall on Tuesday morning
Lucky hat? A man was spotted showing off his custom-made top hat, covered in trophies with a double denim outfit to match
With the exception of 2016, every year since 2004 has seen more than 100,000 people pass through the turnstiles