After a great day of racing, the punters have let loose with thousands cheering on the horses in Sydney and Melbourne for the race that ends the nation.
Flemington Racecourse hosted 10,000 revellers to Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, with long-suffering Victorians looking to let loose after the world’s longest lockdown.
In Sydney, the champagne was also flowing at the Royal Randwick Racecourse where 17,000 screaming Aussies packed in to get a taste of the action.
Similar crowds were present at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Racecourse, which offered its own day of spectacular racing. Australians all over the country gave up their work-from–home tracksuits or dressing gowns for designer dressers.
Many had to stay inside for several months because of Covid-19 lockdowns. However, many were eager to move out amid their newfound freedoms.
Verry Elleegant won, but it was not an easy victory. In the stands, the race was a little more elegant, with glamorous race-goers seen sipping Champaign straight from the bottle.
While some were drinking in celebration, others were drowning their sorrows after red-hot favourite Incentivise came up short in The highly-coveted $8million race.
Cheers! After a great day of racing, punters are now free to enjoy the Melbourne Cup. This photo was taken at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Tongue and cheek!: A Melbourne Cup reveller poses with her high-heeled shoes at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Pictured: A glamorous barefoot punter dances on the grass at Flemington Racecourse celebrating her big win
Man Down!: Thankfully, none of the horses were injured this year, but it is not the same for those who watch the race trackside.
It’s party time!: Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse goes wild as punters leap out of their seats
Let’s get our bottoms upRandwick Racecourse was buzzing on Tuesday with 17,000 people attending a big day of racing
SFlemington Racecourse was a hotbed of piracy. But outside the gates, animal rights activists were chained to a truck that had delivered manure right next to the entrance.
Protesting the recent spate of horse deaths at the Cup, protestors chanted “Nup to The Cup” and police took nine people into custody.
“Would you wear this suit to the slaughterhouse?” One protester, armed with a megaphone, asked racegoers upon arrival.
However, Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula declared that the event was a huge success and gave Melbourne a much-needed boost.
Tongues are wagging at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse: A man and woman strike a pose
Give me the whip!: Shenanigans at Flemington Racecourse trackside ahead of the Melbourne Cup
All smiles: Two women cheer on horses at Randwick Racecourse in style ahead of the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup
After a big win at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, ladies rejoice and leap out of their seats.
One happy race-goers strolls around the grounds at the Flemington Racecourse celebrating the day of action
Are your feet sore? After a long day at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Cup race-goers had no choice but to take off her high heels.
“Victorians worked so long to get the vaccine numbers up,” Mr Pakula stated to reporters.
“Victorians have earned it.” It’s a glorious, magnificent Melbourne Cup day, and it means more than it has for a very long time.
Incentivise was the short-priced favorite – and Mr Pakula’s pick for this race – and came in second. Verry Elleegant took it down in a dramatic finish that saw thousands of people tearing up their betting slips.
James McDonald rode the six-year-old mare, Spanish Mission came in third.
The crowd is wild! Brisbane scenes were no different. Thousands of punters celebrated a day at Eagle Farm racetrack with a wild celebration.
Victory! A group of men dressed to impress celebrated in style at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday, for a day full of races featuring the Melbourne Cup
Sydneysiders soaked up the Spring sun as they watched the Melbourne Cup from Royal Randwick Racecourse
Two punters had a very happy moment at the Melbourne Cup, as they hugged trackside at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
One race-goer, who swapped her lockdown tracksuit for a beautiful dress and high heels after months of being locked down, told Sydney Morning Herald that it was a strange feeling to be able to go out after having been trapped inside for months.
Bianca Hickey (19 years old), from Sydney’s Neutral Bay was at Royal Randwick to witness the action. She said it was ‘a bit strange’ being with so many people.
“We went all in on socializing and now we do. She said that she thinks a lot of my friends have found it very difficult.
“There is the social anxiety of being kept in prison for three months. Everyone is so socially awkward.”
Pictured: After the city was released from its longest lockdown, the Melbourne Cup saw the joy of the punters dancing at the Melbourne Cup.
The force was with this punter at Sydney’s Royal Randwick who dressed up as Darth Vader from Star Wars
They’re off! After the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, Punters can be seen cheering for the horses and congratulating one another.
A trackside kiss for luck Two race-goers are pictured in a loving embrace ahead of the big race at Flemington Racecourse
Wink Wink!: Randwick saw 17,000 people arrive at Randwick’s house dressed in full-dress for Tuesday’s big event.
Neil Wilson, president of Victoria Racing Club, said that this year’s Melbourne Cup was the culmination six months of preparation.
As coronavirus cases rose, there was no guarantee that the race would go ahead.
He said, “We’re really enjoying course right – people walking around the course with joy on our faces.”
“It’s a big event for Australia – every second person watches or listens to it.
Glamorous race-goers clutching cans at Flemington Racecourse cheer home the horse at the Melbourne Cup
It’s time to celebrate! One Brisbane punter can be seen shouting for joy at Eagle Farm Racecourse
Four friends pose for a photo at Flemington Racecourse’s Melbourne Cup Day.
Place your wagers! One man celebrates winning at the Eagle Farm racetrack in Brisbane on Tuesday
Peace out: Some punters took some time off from a tiring day at the races wearing high heels.
Due to Victoria’s high vaccination coverage, Sharni Taylor, a Melbourne woman, said that she felt safe at the Melbourne Cup with Hayden.
AAP spoke to the 27-year old, “I feel confident that they’ve got safe practice here,” he said.
“All of us are vaccinated.
“I’m getting used again to being around people.” Although it’s still strange, we get used to it quickly.
Winner! Winner!
New heights! One woman sat on the chair to get a better view of the $8million race stopping the nation
A pair of mates embrace as they celebrate the race that stops the nation at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse
Jumping for joy. There were thousands of people in Sydney and Melbourne to witness the main event.
Time for refreshments! Randwick was a group of girls who took a break from the action.
Richard McGann, a 49-year-old Melbourne resident, felt similar feelings.
McGann stated, “Finally opening up was fantastic.”
“This is beautiful…a bit strange, but it feels secure.”
Meanwhile, anti-lockdown protesters carrying signs that read “Sack Dan Andrews” and shouting “freedom” marched through Footscray Park, Melbourne’s west, towards the racecourse.