Glamorous Melbourne racegoers let loose on one of Australia’s biggest race days – and the party isn’t over yet

All eyes may have been on the track on Saturday as the iconic Caulfield Cup was staged, but some of the most colorful action took place off the pitch.

Nearly 25,000 people flocked to Caulfield Racecourse for what has become the biggest draw of Melbourne’s annual Spring Racing Carnival.

Although persistent rain threatened to overshadow the festivities on Friday, drizzle gave way to sunny spells on Saturday, with the mercury eventually reaching around 18 degrees.

Irish-born gelding Duke De Sessa won the historic cup, which has been held since 1879, with skilled top jockey Harry Coffey mounting a late challenge from crowd favorite Buckaroo.

And trainer Ciaron Maher became the first person in history to win the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne and The Everest, 750km north at Sydney’s Royal Randwick, on the same day.

But he wasn’t the only one celebrating.

Others chose to hold their own races outside the official fields

There was much fun and frivolity among gamblers and partygoers alike

Early on, the carefully dressed and well-to-do crowd was first-class and proper…

…but soon those heels were off and they were racing – and even doing the occasional ‘shoey’

Then the real fun began on what has become one of the most popular days on Melbourne’s annual Spring Racing Carnivale calendar

While not everyone managed to support the winner in the $5 million Group One match, there was more than enough thrills and spills trackside to keep the most discerning punters and partygoers charged up.

As always, the early evening saw the annual series of well-heeled racegoers struggling to keep on their feet.

But overall, the cheerful crowd knew when to call the shots – whether at the bar or during the impromptu races they set themselves after mounting their friends in the fields.

And by the end of the day there was a feeling of love in the air, with many public displays of affection on the racecourse.

The real tragic will have just a few days to regroup on Wednesday ahead of the Geelong Cup, while others will plan another day of fun and festivities at the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley next weekend.

The fashion stakes couldn’t have been high at Caulfield Racecourse…

…with both men and women doing their best to impress at their best.

For some racegoers, it all becomes too much during an action-packed day at the track

Although seats proved scarce for those needing a break from their high heels

By the end of the day, there were plenty of hurdles for racegoers to negotiate

For many, the day out ended with a kiss