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.
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
A punter is escorted by security guards out of Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
One reveller partied a little too hard and ended up on the ground at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
Animated revellers enjoyed a day in the sun at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
Worse for wear punters spilled out onto the streets of Brisbane after a day at Doomben Racecourse
5,000 punters made their way to Brisbane’s racecourse at Doomben, a smaller crowd than usual with COVID restrictions in place
One glamourous punter was seen holding a face mask to her mouth while lining up outside the Doncaster Hotel in Sydney
Crowds made their way to the Doncatser Bar in Kensington, Sydney
Race attendees spilled out of Royal Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon
That’s not COVID safe! A punter argues with the COVID-safe security guards at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane
Double Bay on the other hand is starting to feel the effects of drinking and sunshine, as crowds poured out of establishments post race to smoke and chat
PR maven Roxy Jacenko could barely stay on her feet as she stumbled out of her Melbourne Cup celebrations at Mimi’s in Sydney
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
Others keen to keep the party going headed to the Opera House for a post-race celebration, making the most of Sydney’s sunny 24C afternoon
Two glamorous race-goers were seen at Coogee Bay Hotel in the eastern suburbs after the race on Tuesday afternoon
Jubilant revellers were seen making the most of the 24C day at Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney
Revellers at the Coogee Bay Hotel 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 is 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 can 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 have 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
Didn’t love that sip: A punter at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane enjoys an ice cold beverage on Australia’s busiest betting day
Melbourne Cup punters and racegoers are pictured in various moods at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup
Punters at Coogee Bay Hotel dressed more casually than the standard race day attire
In Melbourne, locals have flocked to pubs, restaurants and parks for a crowd-free Cup day, the hottest in over half a century.
Glammed up attendees were seen spilling out of Royal Randwick Racecourse and onto the streets of Sydney after Twilight Payment took out the race that stops the nation
Thousands of jubilant revellers across Australia have kicked off their heels to party into the night after Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. 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 mostly behaved as the Cup was run
Crowds gathered on the street outside Matteo restaurant in Double Bay for post-Cup celebrations
Crowds were seen gathering at watering holes across Sydney, including Matteo and Restaurant Bedouin in Double Bay, the Coogee Bay Hotel and Opera Bar
People enjoy the 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.
St Kilda beach was also swarming with people making the most of the hot weather.
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.
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
Local officers patrol while people enjoy the warm weather on Melbourne’s St Kilda Beach
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.