Thousands of glammed up punters kick off their heels and let loose after the Melbourne Cup
Off and racy! Drinks flow around Australia as thousands of glammed up punters kick off their heels and let loose after the Melbourne Cup
- Thousands of revellers have turned out to pubs and clubs across Australia to watch the Melbourne Cup
- Twilight Payment took out the race in front of empty grandstands at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday
- Attendees spilled out of Royal Randwick Racecourse and onto the streets of Sydney on Tuesday afternoon
- Whereas Melburnians flocked to St Kilda beach and Brisbane punters opted for Doomben Racecourse
- There are sure to be sore heads returning to work on Wednesday morning after an evening of partying
Thousands of jubilant revellers across Australia haven’t let coronavirus social distancing or state border blockades stop them from celebrating the iconic Melbourne Cup well into Tuesday evening.
Twilight Payment took out the race that stops the nation in front of empty grandstands at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday – as one of the favourites, Anthony Van Dyck, was tragically put down after suffering a broken leg on the 500m home turn.
While no racegoers or owners were allowed to attend the iconic racecourse in Melbourne this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse was able to host a crowd of 10,000 with safety measures in place.
Glammed up attendees were seen spilling out of Randwick and onto the streets of Sydney on Tuesday afternoon. Others keen to keep the party going headed to Darling Harbour for a post-race celebration, making the most of Sydney’s sunny 24C afternoon.
Crowds in Sydney gathered at venues across the eastern suburbs, including Matteo and Restaurant Bedouin in Double Bay, Mimi’s, the Coogee Bay Hotel and Opera Bar.
Melburnians flocked to St Kilda beach and various watering holes across the city for a socially distanced celebration, while 5,000 Brisbane punters packed Doomben Racecourse – a smaller crowd than usual with COVID restrictions in place.
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Party time! A group of mates kick off their heels to enjoy race day at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane as revellers across Australia enjoyed the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday
Walk this way: A female reveller is seen teetering down a street in Sydney (left) while a man looks to have spilled his drink down his denim jeans (right)
Twins! A couple matched their gold metallic outfits for a day out at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse
We’ll drink to that! Young ladies who watched the Cup unfold from Doomben Racecourse were keen to support Australian owned products, like XXXX Gold beer
These stilettos were made for walking: Two stunning blondes pumped the pavement at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse after a day of playing dress up
Golden hour: Thousands of Brisbane punters took advantage of Queensland’s eased COVID-19 restrictions to celebrate at Doomben Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon (pictured)
WHO won? One Queensland girl shared an outraged look with a friend as she enjoyed White Claw seltzer
An arm-bending experience: A punter is escorted by security guards out of Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
A helping hand: One reveller partied a little too hard and ended up on the ground at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
From the beach to the bar: Animated revellers in a range of outfits enjoyed a day in the sun at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
Lose the shoes: Worse for wear punters spilled out onto the streets of Brisbane after a day at Doomben Racecourse
Here, let me help you: Two ladies wearing almost identical dresses saunter out of Brisbane’s Doomben Racecourse
Safety first! One glamourous punter wearing a Bec and Bridge dress was seen holding a face mask to her mouth while lining up outside the Doncaster Hotel in Sydney
‘How much further do we have to walk?!’: Crowds made their way to the Doncaster Hotel in Kensington, Sydney, after the race that stops the nation finished
If looks could kill: Punters weren’t afraid of dressing up for the iconic race day, donning stunning mini dresses
That’s not COVID safe! A punter argues with the COVID-safe security guards at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
Step right up, step right up: Glamorous punters in Sydney’s Double Bay were seen enjoying drinks and good banter on the sunny Tuesday afternoon
PR maven Roxy Jacenko could barely stay on her feet as she stumbled out of her Melbourne Cup celebrations at Mimi’s in Sydney
Pink perfect: One woman decided on a two-piece number in a flattering light pink shade to wear to the race
The Opera House (pictured) in Sydney was shining on the day of the race, with revellers packing into Opera Bar
Two glamorous race-goers were seen at Coogee Bay Hotel in the eastern suburbs after the race on Tuesday afternoon
Got the goods! Boat shoe-wearing punters proudly flaunted their expensive champagne in Coogee, Sydney
Revellers at the Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney were mostly behaved as the Cup was run, with patrons heeding calls to remain seated, even as one winner held a magnum of French Champagne aloft after backing the winner with his mates.
Double Bay on the other hand was starting to feel the effects of drinking and sunshine, as crowds poured out of establishments post-race to smoke and chat.
Brisbane locals also got into the spirit of Cup day, with eased restrictions in Queensland meaning more than 200 people could gather to watch on screens at the Ipswich Turf Club.
On the west coast, up to 20,000 punters flocked to Perth’s Ascot Racecourse for one of the biggest Melbourne Cup events in the country this year, also taking advantage of the state’s relaxed restrictions.
In Melbourne, locals flocked to pubs, restaurants and parks for a crowd-free Cup day, the hottest in over half a century.
Droves of other Melburnians spent their day at St Kilda beach, making the most of the sunshine.
The COVID-19 pandemic ensured no spectators were on course at Flemington on Tuesday.
Flemington was bathed in sunshine, with the mercury topping 30.4C in the city – its warmest day since March 19.
Unable to revel in the conditions on course, Melburnians turned to other alternatives to watch the 3pm main race.
Sing it loud and proud: Queenslanders celebrated the Melbourne Cup in their own state, dressing in bright and floral colours
Stop, drop and roll: A cheeky punter in a red dress hits the ground with a crafty dance move in Brisbane
Right this way: Security ushers a smartly-dressed punter at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane – while the police follow closely behind
Didn’t love that sip: A punter at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane enjoys an ice cold beverage on Australia’s busiest betting day
A trio of women pound the pavement: Ladies chose an array of outfits – including trousers and a skirt – to attend the races in Sydney
Punters at Coogee Bay Hotel dressed more casually than the standard race day attire – but weren’t bothered by social distancing rules
Putting her fashion foot forward: One well-dressed lady chose white trousers and an orange top for the race day shenanigans
Mind your step: Two ladies make their way towards the entrance of Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday
Holly Thorburn, Mae Bye, Rochelle Bye and Lauren Cittarelli attend a Melbourne Cup event at the Opera Bar
Revellers at the Coogee Bay Hotel (pictured) were on their best behaviour as the Cup was run
Crowds gathered on the street outside Matteo restaurant in Double Bay for post-Cup celebrations
Ladies discussed the world’s great events over an Aperol spritz (and a side of water)
People enjoyedthe warm weather in socially distanced circles at Melbourne’s St Kilda Beach on cup day. Flemington Racecourse was closed due to the pandemic
People were seen lining the Maribyrnong River in Footscray park, opposite Flemington Race Track, as they celebrated the Melbourne Cup outdoors
One park punter decided to dress as a jockey as he relaxed on a portable lounger
Pubs, restaurants and bars filled up quickly across the city in a much-needed post-lockdown boost, while one group in a park hooked up a TV to their vehicle.
Those who stayed home were allowed to have two adults from the same household as visitors, with the carnival’s rebadged Fashion on The Front Lawn encouraging punters to dress up in their finest fascinators, frocks and suits.
A small number of owners were permitted on course at an Echuca race meeting under regional Victoria rules, while some Sydneysiders attended a low-key Cup day meeting at Randwick.
Twilight Payment led home an international clean sweep of a Melbourne Cup marred by the death of one of the world’s best racehorses.
Joseph O’Brien denied his father Aidan once again on Australian racing’s biggest stage but the demise of the English Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck cast a shadow over any family celebrations.
Check it out: A couple of punters look adoringly at something in the distance as they leave Randwick Racecourse
Pretty in pink! Two different ladies choose to accessorise with pink as they attend various events in Sydney
Smile for the COVID-safe camera! Revellers in Sydney smile with a mask in tow
Thumbs up for a successful day: Lady in red stands next to a security guard at Doomben Racecourse
A couple are seen at a socially distanced table during Bentley Cup Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse
Racegoers are seen during Bentley Cup Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday
While no racegoers or owners are allowed to attend Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse is able to host a crowd of around 10,000
Another year over: Ladies celebrate one of the most incredible Cup days Australia has ever seen
Anthony Van Dyck, the most decorated horse O’Brien Sr has sent to Australia for a spring carnival, faltered on the home turn.
His jockey Hugh Bowman dismounted soon after only to discover the stallion had fractured a fetlock.
A valuable entire, Anthony Van Dyck couldn’t be saved despite receiving the swiftest veterinarian attention.
‘The horse received immediate veterinary care, however, he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained,’ Racing Victoria’s Jamie Steir said.
The tragedy added to the curse that seems to hang over O’Brien Sr and his team of Australian spring runners.
