Party-starved punters went wild on Melbourne Cup day throwing off the shackles of lockdown which have plagued Australia for more than a year, with elated Aussies partying the night away.
Revellers ditched their tracksuits and work-from-home dressing gowns for designer dresses and three-piece suits, celebrating into the evening long after the 3pm race was run.
Thousands of rowdy race-goers turned out in both Sydney and Melbourne to cheer on the horses while droves more piled into pubs and clubs across Australia for the race that stops the nation.
On the track Verry Elleegant stormed to victory over short-priced favourite Incentivise snatching the win in the final 300m straight.
But after Covid-19 lockdowns saw millions of Australians living under harsh restrictions for months cooped-up inside their homes cut off from their friends and family, for most it didn’t really matter which horse got up – it was all about the euphoric atmosphere and the return to normality.
Both Sydney and Melbourne have only just escaped months of gruelling lockdown, with the Victorian capital enduring 262 days shut down – the longest stint of any city in the world.
The Flemington Racecourse can accommodate up to 120,000 spectators on major race days, but the 10,000 spectators on Tuesday was a marked improvement on last year when no crowd was allowed because of restrictions in place for the pandemic in 2020.
Some party animals however may have overdone the celebrating just a touch, as hordes of racegoers were captured making their way out after a long day of celebrating.
A long day of celebrations come to an end at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane (pictured) as thousands turn out to watch the Melbourne Cup and the local races
A race-goers at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne is captured having a problem with her shoes but luckily an experienced strapper is on hand to fix the issue
Sun’s out guns out! A racegoer does away with his shirt as the Melbourne Cup wrapped up for the day at Flemington Racecourse
Pretty in Pink: Women in matching dresses strut their stuff as the make their way out of Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne after a day of celebrations
Last drinks! A racegoer says cheers one more time at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane before the day’s action came to a close
A stylish racegoer at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne is captured with a drink in one hand and her shoes in the other, keen for some comfort after a day in heels
Glamorous punters exit Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne with their high heeled shoes in hand after a much-needed day off work
One happy reveller stops to strike a pose for the cameras at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane as thousands gathered across Australia to watch the Melbourne Cup
A stylish blonde makes her way out out of Randwick Racecourse in Sydney after taking in the action trackside alongside 17,000 revellers
A girl gang of fashionistas pose for a photograph on their way out of Randwick Racecourse in Sydney after capacity limits saw thousands descend to watch the races
Flemington Racecourse welcomed 10,000 revellers to the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday with long-suffering Victorians ready to let their hair down after enduring the world’s longest lockdown.
In Sydney, the champagne was also flowing at the Royal Randwick Racecourse where 17,000 screaming Australians packed in to get a taste of the action.
There were similar crowds at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm racecourse which delivered its own day of spectacular races.
Although Verry Elleegant was the name on everybody’s lips after the coveted $8million race, it wasn’t so elegant trackside as glamorous race-goers in high heels and fascinators were pictured chugging champagne straight out of the bottle.
Some were drinking in celebration, while others were drowning their sorrows after the red-hot favourite Incentivise came up short.
Cheers! Punters have let loose after a huge day of racing with thousands turning out in both Sydney and Melbourne to cheer on the horses for the Melbourne Cup (pictured at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse)
Tongue and cheek! A Melbourne Cup reveller holding her high heel shoes poses for a photo at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse
Pictured: A glamorous barefoot punter dances on the grass at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne celebrating her big win
Woman Down! Luckily none of the horses fell this year but the same can’t be said for revellers watching the race trackside
Party time! Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse goes wild as punters leap out of their seats to party in the 26C sunshine
Bottoms up! The drinks were flowing at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Tuesday with 17,000 turning out for a huge day of racing
Time for a rest: A racegoer lays down on the grass to take a break from all the action on the tract at Flemington in Melbourne
Spirits were high at Flemington Racecourse, but scenes outside of the gates told another story with animal rights activists chaining themselves to a truck that had delivered a load of manure opposite the entrance.
Protesting the spate of horse deaths in the Cup in recent years, protestors chanted ‘Nup to the Cup’ with police taking nine away in handcuffs.
‘Would you wear that suit to the slaughterhouse, sir?’ one protester armed with a megaphone asked racegoers on arrival.
But that did not deter Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula declaring the event a roaring success and a much needed shot in the arm for the city of Melbourne, with not a single horse dying this year.
Stricter veterinary checks have been introduced after the deaths of six horses associated with the Cup since 2013, including Anthony Van Dyck, one of the pre-race favourites last year who broke down with 500 metres to go.
Tongues are wagging: A man and a women strike a pose at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse during wild celebrations
Give’m the whip! Shenanigans play out trackside at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday as thousands descended to watch the race which stops the nation
All smiles: Two women cheer on the horses in style at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney during the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup
Ladies rejoice after a big win at the track, leaping out of their seats at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney
One happy racegoer strolls around the grounds at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne celebrating the day of action
Sore hooves? Melbourne Cup race-goers had to take her high heels off after a long day at Flemington Racecourse
A groups of mates burst out laughing at the Melbourne Cup as one of their pals hits the deck after a long day of celebrating
‘Victorians worked so hard for so long to get the vaccination numbers up,’ Mr Pakula said.
‘Victorians have earned this. It’s a majestic, glorious Melbourne Cup day and it means more to the city than it has for a long, long time.’
Short-priced favourite – and Mr Pakula’s pick for the race – Incentivise came second as it was run down by Verry Elleegant in a dramatic finish that had thousands tearing up their betting slips in disgust.
The six-year-old mare was ridden by James McDonald, with Spanish Mission coming in third.
And the crowd goes wild! The scenes in Brisbane were no different with thousands of punters celebrating a day of racing at the Eagle Farm racetrack
Victory! A group of men dressed to impress celebrated in style at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday for a day of races featuring the Melbourne Cup
Sydneysiders soaked up the spring sun as they watched the Melbourne Cup from Royal Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday
Two punters got very lucky at the Melbourne Cup as they hugged and kissed trackside at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse
Wardrobe malfunction: A group of stylish ladies band together to fix their high heels shoes after a blowout in Melbourne
One racegoer who ditched her lockdown tracksuit and dressing gown for a stunning dress and high heels told Sydney Morning Herald it’s a strange feeling to be out and about after being trapped indoors for months during lockdown.
Bianca Hickey, 19, from Sydney’s Neutral Bay who attend the action at Royal Randwick said being at an event with so many people was ‘a bit weird, I’m not going to lie’.
‘We went from no socialising to this. I think a lot of my friends and I have found it really hard,’ she said.
‘There’s the social anxiety of being locked away for three months, and everyone is so socially awkward.’
Pictured: Punters were dancing for joy at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse after the city only recently emerged from the world’s longest lockdown
The force was with this punter at Sydney’s Royal Randwick who dressed up as Darth Vader from Star Wars for the celebration – a novel approach to a Covid-safe facemask
And they’re off! Punters are seen cheering on the horses and congratulating each other after the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday
A trackside kiss for luck? Two racegoers are pictured in a loving embrace ahead of the big race at Flemington Racecourse
Wink Wink! Women dressed to the nines for the big day on Tuesday with Randwick seeing a crowd of 17,000 roll up
This year’s Melbourne Cup marked the culmination of six months of preparation, Victoria Racing Club president Neil Wilson said.
Up until last month there was no guarantee the race would even go ahead as coronavirus cases soared.
‘We’re really enjoying the spirit that’s on course right – people walking round the course with joy on their faces,’ he said.
‘It’s a big day for Australia – every second adult watches or listens to the race.’
Glamorous race-goers clutching cans at Flemington Racecourse cheer home the horse at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday after enduring the world’s longest lockdown
Time for celebrations! One Brisbane punter is seen shouting for joy as the Eagle Farm Racecourse after scooping $3,000
Four friends throw their hands up in the air as they pose for a photo at the Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse
Melbourne woman Sharni Taylor said she felt safe attending the Melbourne Cup with her partner Hayden due to the high vaccination coverage in Victoria.
‘I feel confident they’ve got safe practices here,’ the 27-year-old said.
‘We’re vaccinated and everyone else here is too.
‘I’m getting used to being around people again. It’s still a bit weird but we snap back into things pretty quickly.’
Another Melbourne local, 49-year-old Richard McGann, had similar feelings.
‘Finally opening up is fantastic,’ Mr McGann said.
Might be time for a water? After a long day of celebrating this glamorous pair stop for a drink of water at Flemington Racecourse
Peace out: Some punters took a well deserved break from an exhausting day out at the races in high heels in Sydney
Place your bets! One man celebrates his win at the Eagle Farm race track in Brisbane on Tuesday as thousands of glamorous punters enjoyed the day
‘This is beautiful … a bit weird, but it feels safe.’
Meanwhile, a collection of anti-lockdown protesters holding signs that read ‘Sack Dan Andrews’ and yelling ‘freedom’ marched through Footscray Park in Melbourne’s west towards the racecourse and then back again.
But punters in Sydney had another reason to celebrate after it was announced the city would lift more Covid-19 curbs for vaccinated residents ahead of schedule next week, while delaying freedoms it has promised for unvaccinated Sydneysiders as officials aim to boost inoculations.
Vaccinated people in the harbour city of will be allowed unlimited numbers of guests in their homes from November 8.
Winner! One punter jumps for joy after celebrating a win at the races in Sydney on Tuesday as thousands took the day off work
A pair of mates embrace as they celebrate the race that stops the nation at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse
Pubs and clubs will also be able to accommodate more guests and reopen dance floors, in changes that were initially planned to come into force on December 1.
In contrast, unvaccinated people, who are currently barred from restaurants, non-critical retail stores, bars, gyms and other recreational facilities, will remain under the tougher restrictions until December 15, or when New South Wales state’s double vaccination rate reaches 95 per cent.
‘We have always wanted to open up in a measured way and incentivise vaccination rates,’ State Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
Around 88 per cent of the state’s population aged 16 and over has been fully-vaccinated, but the first dose vaccination rate has been slowing as it nears 94 per cent.
Australia on Monday lifted a ban on its residents flying overseas after more than 18 months and allowed quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated international travellers.
However, the changes initially affect only Sydney, Melbourne and the ACT, with other states and territories targeting differing timelines for reopening.
Reaching new highs! One woman stood on a chair in Sydney to get a better glimpse of the $8million race that stops the nation
Jumping for joy: The spirits were high as thousands turned out at both Sydney and Melbourne for the main event
Time for refreshments! A group of girls enjoyed a break from the action at Randwick in Sydney on a sunny 26C day
Superstar mare Verry Elleegant storms to victory in the Melbourne Cup as red-hot favourite Incentivise battles on to finish second
By Charlie Coe
Verry Elleegant has beaten red-hot favourite Incentivise to win the Melbourne Cup in emphatic style, overcoming a big weight and a wide barrier to take out the race that stops the nation.
The $16.50 chance charged past Incentivise with 200 metres remaining and won by 3.5 lengths to deliver an overdue first Melbourne Cup win for both Sydney’s leading jockey James McDonald and top trainer Chris Waller.
English stallion Spanish Mission – one of only three visiting international horses – finished third and Floating Artist was next as the top four put a big break on the rest of the field in the $8million race at Flemington on Tuesday.
‘Thoughts (of winning) went through my mind at the 500m when I saw Incentivise getting shoved along but I knew he would fight,’ McDonald said.
‘There wasn’t a horse that was going to come from behind me, it was just a matter of catching him.’
First win: Verry Elleegant has beaten red-hot favourite Incentivise to win the Melbourne Cup in the race that stops the nation. Jockey James McDonald is pictured riding the champion mare to victory
The $4.4million first prize took the mare’s career winnings beyond the $14million mark – a remarkable achievement that belies the horse’s humble breeding.
It was an expert ride by ace jockey McDonald, who had a difficult task from barrier 18 trying to get the mare relaxed enough to enable her to run out the two miles – a distance at which she was unproven despite her phenomenal record of 10 Group One wins.
He had the mare around midfield through most of the running, getting a nice trail behind the pace, while up front it was Persan who led and Incentivise nicely positioned in second.
James McDonald puts his hand to his face as he celebrates his historic win on the back of Verry Elleegant
Entering the straight, Incentivise – going for an extraordinary tenth straight win – tried to kick clear of the field but Verry Elleegant quickly gathered up the leader and charged past with a furlong to run and won comfortably.
Waller, who is most famous for training the record-breaking Winx and whose huge stable of horses has established him as Australia’s most successful trainer, ended his frustrating wait for a Melbourne Cup win.
He had 21 entries in the big race prior to today for a meagre return of one placing.
An emotional McDonald, who had two previous placings in the Cup, called Verry Elleegant a ‘superstar’ after guiding the mare to victory.
‘I love her to bits,’ he said. ‘She’s been so good to me. They can safely say she’s a champion now.
‘She was relaxed the whole way. When I looked at the 600 (metres to go), I still just, just… I was blowing kisses to her the whole way.
‘I don’t know. I just can’t believe what’s just happened.’
There were some doubts about Verry Elleegant’s chances due to the weight, the wide barrier and the questions about her running out the long distance.
But the sceptics would have done well to heed McDonald’s words prior to the race.
‘I galloped her on Saturday and she is absolutely humdinging,’ McDonald declared in column for Racenet on Tuesday morning.
‘Dead set, whether she’s a Melbourne Cup winner or not, she’s going to run so well it’s not funny.
‘Seriously, I haven’t felt her work as good. I’m telling you, she is going great.’
Thankfully all runners finished without incident, after the race was blighted in recent years by fatal injuries.
Outsider Future Score was ruled out of the race after failing a veterinary test on Tuesday morning.
Delphi was lame on Cup eve but satisfied Racing Victoria veterinarians of his soundness and ran pretty strongly to finish seventh in the 23-horse field.
At $3 odds, Incentivise was shorter than any Cup runner since the great Phar Lap.
Punters enjoy their Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington on Tuesday as Australia prepared for ‘the race that stops the nation’
Jockey Brett Prebble had him nicely positioned just behind the leader but was not able to accelerate away from the field as he did in winning the Caulfield Cup.
However he stuck on strongly to finish second and would have lost no admirers.
In an age when super-rich breeding operations dominate the bloodstock industry, Verry Elleegant’s win was a victory for the little guys.
Her New Zealand hobby breeder Don Goodwin owned a horse called Zed which was retired prematurely due to a leg injury and became a modest sire, charging a cut-rate $600 at stud despite himself being sired by the great Zabeel.
Zed serviced Goodwin’s only mare Opulence – which he bought for $10,000 – and the resultant foal was Verry Elleegant.
Glammed-up punters earlier in the day began spilling into Melbourne ‘s Flemington Racecourse for ‘the race that stops the nation’
The unusual spelling of her name is a nod to Goodwin’s granddaughter Ellee, while the two Rs in Verry was chosen to make it stand out.
Glammed-up punters earlier began spilling into Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse ahead of the world-renowned race – with the sartorial bar set early on by a woman bursting through the gates in a pastel power suit.
The fashionista led a host of attendees donned head-to-toe in pastel mini dresses, whimsical white lace numbers and bold patterned pieces keen to ensure all eyes were on them as they fought it out for prime position ahead of the iconic race at 3pm.
About 70 per cent of attendees at the 161st Melbourne Cup are Victoria Racing Club members with only five per cent of tickets offered to members of the public.
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