And they’re gone! Kate Waterhouse leads the glamorous finish in the Melbourne Cup as celebrities descend on Flemington Racecourse to watch the race that stops the nation

The Melbourne Cup kicked off on Tuesday as Australia’s most stylish celebrities gathered at Flemington Racecourse to watch the race that would bring the country to a standstill.

And leading the glamorous arrivals was racing identity Kate Waterhouse, who dazzled at the Birdcage in an off-white Mariam Seddiq dress with oversized scalloped details and a plunging neckline.

Kate, the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse and bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse, completed her look with a white hatinator, yellow strappy heels, silver hoop earrings and a Bulgari handbag.

Channel Seven Sport presenter Emma Freedman, meanwhile, turned heads in an all-red ensemble.

The blonde wore a stylish swing dress with a sheer lace bodice, a cheerful hatinator and a pair of strappy heels.

Joining her in the Birdcage was actor Rob Mills, whose combination of gray suit and floral tie put him in the running for best-dressed male racegoer.

Lady Eliza and Amelia Spencer, Princess Diana’s nieces, proved that two are better than one when they arrived in dramatic dresses made from the same red satin fabric.

Eliza turned heads in an off-the-shoulder ball gown and a bejeweled birdcage veil, while her sister showed off her legs in a mini dress with puff skirt.

Jockey Zac Purton was also spotted arriving at Flemington Racecourse with his wife Nicole, looking friendly in a black suit.

Nicole, meanwhile, was red hot in a crimson mini dress and matching fascinator.