About 100,000 punters flooded into Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday for the 2017 Melbourne Cup.
In a flurry of fascinators and bold fashion, racegoers were keen to enjoy their state-wide public holiday.
Many found cause for celebration as the horses dashed across the track, and champagne flowed freely among the crowds – with many holding on to more than one bottle at a time.
Unlikely winner Rekindling was the first to cross the finish line, taking home a giant $3.2 million in prize money for six-time winning owner Lloyd Williams.
As the afternoon wore on, evidence of a day well celebrated was left strewn across Flemington’s grassed areas, with some rowdy revelers partying on and others opting to take a nap.
One daring male performed the risky move of climbing an umbrella, at one point standing on the back of an accomplice and later clambering atop a high stack of milk crates.
A daring male performed the risky move of climbing an umbrella assisted by two other men in the aftermath of the Cup
At one point he was spotted standing on the back of an accomplice and later clambering atop a high stack of milk crates
Police officials appeared less than impressed with the raucous antics of the ambitious male
He seemed very determined to sit in the high-up position, despite a police officer and friend seemingly encouraging him to come down
Giddy up! Jockeys weren’t the only ones clinging on for a ride at Flemington on Tuesday
Appearing deep in thought, one woman seized an opportunity to take some weight off her feet and enjoy a bubbly on the grass
It was the perfect time to sneak in a tactical nap for some, as one woman laid on a rug among empty wine bottles and cups
Too much fun! A man was spotted looking overjoyed at rolling around on the lawn among a sea of rubbish and opportunistic seagulls
Taking a break! A woman laughs as she rests her feet by sitting on the ground with a male friend
Racegoers is appeared to be in extremely high spirits in the wake of the race, as hundreds put on enthusiastic displays with their friends.
Several women were spotted hitching rides on the back of their friends, as others watched on as their exhausted pals recharged their batteries and caught up on some sleep.
While most deserted the grassed areas at the end of racing, some seized the opportunity to indulge in a moment of relaxation away from the crowds.
In a rugby-like encounter, one woman tackled a nearby male to the ground and pinned him there by laying across his back
The man was left with no option but to accept his fate as his face became squished into the turf
Comfy seat? A friend’s posterior proved the perfect pillow as one exhausted racegoer had comfortable lay down
Oops! One lady appeared to have taken a not-so-glamorous tumble, nearly compromising her modesty in her mini dress
High heals were given the flick in favour of going bare foot or a pair of flat shoes throughout the afternoon, as others were seen strapping their towering pumps back on to leave the venue.
Uneven ground? A man is seen falling back on to the grass, with his sunglasses falling off his head, after a big day at the races
Feeling shy? A man is seen throwing up a skater symbol after falling over, as his friend appears to hide from the camera. Moments later, the pair are seen rolling around on the grass together
Saving time: One man chose to avoid the line at the bar by purchasing his drinks in bulk and carrying them around with him
A lone woman was spotted taking a seat on a set of steps in Sydney as she recharged her batteries from a long day of celebrating
Cheers! A man is seen backing up against the wall after exploding an oversized bottle of Mumm champagne
Bright colours appeared to be the look of the day, with most racegoers appearing undeterred by grey skies, light rainfall and ominous clouds.
More than 100,000 punters are expected to brave the gloomy weather to watch ‘the race that stops the nation’ on Tuesday afternoon.
They’ve come prepared though, with many seen hiding under clear ponchos or umbrellas, doing their best to not compromise their outfits.
Keeping dry and looking fly: Women chose to don clear ponchos over their glamorous outfits at the 2017 Melbourne Cup
Can you ‘ear me? One woman, seen looking serious as she spoke on the phone, paired her fitted yellow dress with a fascinator crafted from pink and yellow flowers and feathers, designed in the shape of bunny ears
Looking regal! Liam and Annie McKerran from Cranbourne pose in blue and gold outfits created by Annie herself
Others came prepared with umbrellas to shield them from the light rain, but their attempts to stay dry were thwarted by strong winds
Struggling to see? The umbrellas were not the most crowd-friendly of ideas though, with one man seen ducking down to see past a woman’s umbrella as she cheered on a horse
Orange appeared to be the colour of the day, with many seen making bold statements in the colour.
For one woman, it appeared to be her lucky colour, as she was pictured breathlessly watching a race while holding on to her hat.
Another used the eye-catching colour to stand out from her friends as they walked hand in hand through the racecourse.
A group of women in Sydney took some time out on Tuesday afternoon to have a cigarette and touch up their make-up
‘If that horse wins, I’ll eat my hat’: One woman was seen breathlessly watching Race Four ahead of the anticipated Melbourne Cup race
Was it a winning choice? The woman was seen earlier in the day with friends as they inspected betting guides
Three female friends are seen stepping out hand in hand on Tuesday, each in vastly different outfits
Women were not the only sartorial attractions on Tuesday, with many men opting to join in on the fun.
While some stuck to their plain suits in shades of blue, black or grey, others took a more creative route and chose something more festive.
One man was seen appropriately dressed for the occasion in a black suit with bright yellow horses on it. A group of four chose to match, all wearing suits with American dollars printed on.
A group of friends dressed in Cup-appropriate attire to enjoy Melbourne Cup festivities from a Sydney establishment
Ladies got dolled up to celebrate the race in Sydney, with a jovial pair spotted enjoying a giggle as they strutted hand-in-hand
Sticking to the theme: One man stepped out proudly in a black suit with yellow horses printed on to the fabric
Stuck in the middle: This trio of men donned top hats for their big day at the races, but one skipped the plain suit for something with more of a 70s twist
Four men dressed in novelty suits pose for a photograph with the statue of legendary trainer Bart Cummings
He certainly won’t blend in with the crowd! Some punters went out of their way with colourful suits and novelty hats
He won’t get lost! While some chose a more conservative look for the big race, one man went all out, pairing a velvet red suit with a shirt printed like a jockey’s and an oversized sequin bow tie. He finished the look by spray painting his hair red to match, and his beard half blue and half yellow
Forecasters have predicted the coldest Melbourne Cup in 43 years, with early showers, plunging temperatures and biting winds threatening to spoil the day.
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.
Dressed brightly with smiles just as bright, punters appeared completely undeterred by grey skies.
Racegoers began pouring through the turnstiles at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup early on Tuesday morning
Undeterred: Glamorous racegoers braved the weather to watch ‘the race that stops the nation’ in Melbourne
These three women held onto their extravagant fascinators as ominous clouds lingered on Tuesday morning
Coffee run! Two women got their caffeine fix on Tuesday morning after beating the crowds into Flemington Racecourse
Pastel tones and 70s-inspired vibes appeared to be the style of the day, with crowds of women opting to match their outfit with fancy headwear
Gloomy weather: Meteorologists forecast the temperature won’t tip 17 degrees all day, marking the coldest Cup in 43 years
Men dressed in novelty suits covered in money cheerfully posed for photographs as women protected their matching fascinators with umbrellas.
Despite the chilly weather, most women threw caution to the wind and were seen dressing in short skirts and sleeveless dresses without jackets – eager to show off their carefully planned outfits.
Pastel tones and 70s-inspired vibes appeared to be the style of the day, with crowds of women opting to match their outfit with fancy headwear including wide-brimmed hats and frilly fascinators.
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
Hold onto your hat: The Bureau of Meteorology has flagged winds at up to 35 kilometres an hour on Tuesday
Early showers, plunging temperatures and biting winds threatened to spoil the day
Backed a winner? A man in a red top hat with a matching sequinned bow tie and a woman in a clear poncho are seen hi-fiving each other as they stood by the track with smiles on their faces
Jacob Cronje, a senior meteorologist at Weatherzone, told Daily Mail Australia it ‘definitely won’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.
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
Calm before the storm: A large crowd of elderly racegoers, including a man in a kilt, patiently wait to enter the venue