Glamorous racegoers let loose on Crown Oaks Day at Flemington during Melbourne Cup Carnival

Thousands of racegoers braved four seasons in one day as they flocked to Flemington for the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Those attending Crown Oaks Ladies Day refused to let an afternoon downpour dampen their high spirits as the celebration continued well into the day.

While the morning started sunny, the sky quickly darkened as the Bureau of Meteorology warned of a possible thunderstorm.

Nevertheless, revelers made the most of their day out, with many wearing purple in honor of the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.

Crown Oaks Ladies Day attendees took cover as the heavens opened

All smiles! Thousands of revelers made the most of Oaks Day, despite the miserable weather

All smiles! Thousands of revelers made the most of Oaks Day, despite the miserable weather

The grassy venue slowly turning to mud didn't stop racegoers from partying hard

The grassy venue slowly turning to mud didn’t stop racegoers from partying hard

Who needs an umbrella? Several attendees got creative when it started to rain

Who needs an umbrella? Several attendees got creative when it started to rain

Cheese! Despite the bad weather, everyone present was all smiles

Cheese! Despite the bad weather, everyone present was all smiles

Revelers who remembered to bring an umbrella were grateful as showers passed through Flemington on Thursday afternoon

Revelers who remembered to bring an umbrella were grateful as showers passed through Flemington on Thursday afternoon

While an umbrella is usually the cover of choice for racegoers, some attendees used whatever they could find to protect their outfits

While an umbrella is usually the cover of choice for racegoers, some attendees used whatever they could find to protect their outfits

The revelers refused to let the rain put a damper on the festivities

The revelers refused to let the rain put a damper on the festivities

Crown Oaks Day is traditionally known for its pink dress code.

But this year the pink rose was replaced by the purple rose as the official flower of the event.

However, many attendees paid tribute to tradition, with many choosing to accent their carefully crafted outfits with pink details.

However, by far the most popular accessory was an umbrella or poncho.

Those caught short by the rain were spotted taking cover or using anything nearby – from jackets to picnic blankets – to protect themselves from getting wet.

The rain caught some racegoers off guard and many were forced to use picnic blankets for cover

The rain caught some racegoers off guard and many were forced to use picnic blankets for cover

Ladies wore their fashion best as the winners of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field competition were announced on Thursday

Ladies wore their fashion best as the winners of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field competition were announced on Thursday

Many partygoers took cover after the rain started, leaving only the most dedicated fans to brave the weather

Many partygoers took cover after the rain started, leaving only the most dedicated fans to brave the weather

The rain was far from everyone's cup of tea, thankfully the drizzle lessened as the afternoon progressed

The rain was far from everyone’s cup of tea, thankfully the drizzle lessened as the afternoon progressed

Many attendees paid tribute to the traditional color of Oaks Day: pink!

Many attendees paid tribute to the traditional color of Oaks Day: pink!

Well-prepared race participants brought umbrellas and raincoats

Well-prepared race participants brought umbrellas and raincoats

Michelle Payne and 2024 Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Harry Coffey led a guard of honor at Flemington’s Mounting Yard after race five, with the Crown Resorts Foundation donating $500 for each jockey who took part.

Treasurethe Moment won the Group 1 2,500m race to become the 39th filly to complete the Wakeful Stakes/Crown Oaks double.

β€œIt’s 20 years of work to actually achieve something like this,” coach Matt Laurie said.

β€œI am so grateful to my team at home and Team Yulong. They have supported me, this is a home bred strain, and it is incredible to see her progress and win Group 1.”

Thousands of revelers refused to let the rain spoil their fun on Thursday

Thousands of revelers refused to let the rain spoil their fun on Thursday

Beautiful in pink: Many visitors to Oaks Day wore pink in honor of the day's long tradition

Beautiful in pink: Many visitors to Oaks Day wore pink in honor of the day’s long tradition

Racegoers crowded under umbrellas as showers hit Flemington on Thursday

Racegoers crowded under umbrellas as showers hit Flemington on Thursday

The long day was a bit much for some revelers, with many choosing to kick off their heels and enjoy the sun

The long day was a bit much for some revelers, with many choosing to kick off their heels and enjoy the sun

Glamorous racing fans braved the rain for Crown Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday

Glamorous racing fans braved the rain for Crown Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday

The crowd had fun on Crown Oaks Day, the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival

The crowd had fun on Crown Oaks Day, the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival

There was also plenty of action off the court, with the winners of the Best Dressed and Best Suited categories of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field competition being announced.

Special guests Elizabeth Hurley, her son Damian Hurley and ARIA award-winning singer Samantha Jade were on the judging panel with a record-breaking prize pool of over $370,000 up for grabs.

The Best Dressed and Best Suited categories each had more than $111,000 in prizes, with the overall winners receiving $20,000 in cash, in addition to prizes from Penfolds, Schweppes, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, TAB and TCL Electronics.

Revelers will have the chance to head back to Flemington on Saturday for the TAB Champions Stakes Day, which concludes the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Race fans returning to Flemington on Saturday for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival will hopefully be better prepared for the weather

Race fans returning to Flemington on Saturday for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival will hopefully be better prepared for the weather

Those present on Crown Oaks Day were smiling despite the bad weather

Those present on Crown Oaks Day were smiling despite the bad weather

Enjoying the sun: Those present basked in the morning sun while it lasted

Enjoying the sun: Those present basked in the morning sun while it lasted

Floral fashions were hidden under raincoats as racegoers did their best to stay dry

Floral fashions were hidden under raincoats as racegoers did their best to stay dry

Winners are grinners! Dancing partygoers on Thursday had no fear that the grass would turn to mud

Winners are grinners! Dancing partygoers on Thursday had no fear that the grass would turn to mud

Prepared participants were able to enjoy the races on the track, while others were forced to hide undercover from the rain

Prepared participants were able to enjoy the races on the track, while others were forced to hide undercover from the rain

Flemington's undercover areas quickly became busy as revelers escaped the rain

Flemington’s undercover areas quickly became busy as revelers escaped the rain