Kate Waterhouse oozes sophistication in a red Versace gown as she leads the glamorous arrivals at the 2024 Melbourne Cup

Kate Waterhouse put on a glamorous show on Tuesday as she led the celebrity arrivals at the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.

The model, 40, made sure she turned heads as she stormed the top event on the Australian celebrity social calendar in a vibrant blush designer ensemble.

She showed off her toned legs in a sophisticated Versace midi dress with the brand’s signature gold buckles on the straps.

Kate gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointy red stilettos and packed her essentials into a red handbag.

The journalist oozed sophistication as she shielded her eyes with white cat-eye sunglasses from GOD glasses and swept her golden locks under a red hair scarf.

Kate has long had a passion for horse racing, as she is the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse and bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse.

She was joined at the festivities by famous Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who looked equally glamorous in a stunning red strapless mini dress.

The statement dress featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder floral neckline and Ariarne complemented her frame with a pair of beige heeled sandals.

Kate Waterhouse put on a glamorous show on Tuesday as she led the celebrity arrivals at the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse

The model, 40, made sure she turned heads as she stormed the top event on the Australian celebrity social calendar in a vibrant red designer ensemble

The model, 40, made sure she turned heads as she stormed the top event on the Australian celebrity social calendar in a vibrant red designer ensemble

The Olympic champion, 24, kept her essentials in a metallic silver clutch bag and accentuated her stunning features with a bronzed make-up palette.

Large crowds have descended on Flemington Racecourse ahead of the 164th stage of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday at 3pm.

Thousands of Aussies are preparing to place their bets on the highly anticipated race, with race fans around the world turning their attention to Melbourne.

The event will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and Sarah Abo and Alex Cullen were spotted backstage as they prepared for filming ahead of the big event.

Today, presenter Sarah, 38, looked effortlessly stylish in a baby blue jacket, which she teamed with a matching bow in her brunette locks.

She was seen trying to fix the giant accessory into her locks, before later stripping down to a sophisticated all-white suit for the broadcast.

Sarah was joined by her co-presenter Alex, 43, who looked dapper in a navy blue suit as he got ready for their busy day of broadcasting duties.

She showed off her toned legs in a sophisticated Versace midi dress with the brand's signature gold buckles on the straps

She showed off her toned legs in a sophisticated Versace midi dress with the brand’s signature gold buckles on the straps

She was joined at the festivities by famed Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who looked equally glamorous in a stunning red strapless mini dress.

She was joined at the festivities by famed Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who looked equally glamorous in a stunning red strapless mini dress.

The statement dress featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder floral neckline and Ariarne added a pair of beige heeled sandals to her frame.

The statement dress featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder floral neckline and Ariarne added a pair of beige heeled sandals to her frame.

The stayers event is one of the largest in the world and has produced a long list of champions over the years, including Phar Lap, Kingston Town and the invincible feats of Makybe Diva.

This year, 24 more Australian and international horses and their jockeys will attempt to etch their names in the history books as punters hope to pick the winner – or land the ultimate trifecta.

Several horses have already been withdrawn from the 2024 Cup due to veterinary problems, including Jan Brueghel, Brayden Star, Muramasa and Via Sistina.

Veteran bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse has highlighted Circle of Fire as a Melbourne Cup ‘bolter’ worth paying attention to, especially for those looking beyond the top favourites.

The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and Sarah Abo and Alex Cullen were spotted backstage as they prepared for filming ahead of the big event

The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and Sarah Abo and Alex Cullen were spotted backstage as they prepared for filming ahead of the big event

Today, presenter Sarah, 38, looked effortlessly stylish in a baby blue jacket, which she teamed with a matching bow in her brunette locks

Today, presenter Sarah, 38, looked effortlessly stylish in a baby blue jacket, which she teamed with a matching bow in her brunette locks

She was seen trying to secure the giant accessory into her locks as her co-host Alex looked on as she appeared to decide on the accessory

She was seen trying to secure the giant accessory into her locks as her co-host Alex looked on as she appeared to decide on the accessory

Sarah was joined by her co-presenter Alex, 43, who looked dapper in a navy blue suit as he got ready for their busy day of broadcasting duties

Sarah was joined by her co-presenter Alex, 43, who looked dapper in a navy blue suit as he got ready for their busy day of broadcasting duties

The presenters seemed to be in a jovial mood ahead of the busy day as they laughed and joked together backstage

The presenters seemed to be in a jovial mood ahead of the busy day as they laughed and joked together backstage

Large crowds have descended on Flemington Racecourse ahead of the 164th stage of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday at 3pm

Large crowds have descended on Flemington Racecourse ahead of the 164th stage of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday at 3pm

MELBOURNE CUP 2024 FIELD
Horse Trainer(s) Jockey Barrier Weight Chances
Vauban (FR) Willie Mullins William Buick 11 55.5kg $4.50
Buckaroo (UK) Chris Waller Joao Moreira 21 54.5kg $5
Circle of Fire (UK) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Mark Zahra 24 54.5kg $15
Warp speed (JPN) Noboru Takagi Akira Sugawara 3 54.5kg $12
Kovalica (NZ) Chris Waller Damian Lane 17 53.5kg $10
Sharp ‘n’ Smart (NZ) Graeme and Deborah Rogerson Michael Dee 15 53.5kg $20
Just good (IRE) Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Jye Mcneil 13 53kg $25
Country legend (FR) Chris Waller Zac Purton 18 53kg $30
Absurd (FR) Willie Mullins Kerrin McEvoy 7 52.5kg $18
Athabascan (FR) John O’shea and Tom Charlton Zac Lloyd 2 52kg $35
Choice of Knight (AUS) John Symons and Sheila Laxon Robbie Dolan 6 51.5kg $50
Okita Soushi (IRE) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Jamie Kah 10 51 kg $8
Onesmoothoperator (US) Brian Ellison Craig Williams 12 51 kg $12
Zardozi (AUS) James Cummings Andrea Atzeni 4 51 kg $22
Sea King (UK) Harry Eustace Hollie Doyle 1 50.5kg $15
Brave King (UK) Chris Waller Craig Newitt 22 50.5kg $40
Fancy Man (IRE) Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald Ron Stewart 19 50kg $60
Interpreter (IRE) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Teo Nugent 14 50kg $25
Manzoice (AUS) Chris Waller Declan Bates 8 50kg $50
Partly cloudy (IRE) Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young Karis Teetan 16 50kg $70
Positivity (NZ) Andreas Forsman Winona Costin 20 50kg $80
Saint George (UK) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Tyler Schiller 9 50kg $100
The Map (AUS) Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray Rachel King 23 50kg $150
Trust You (NZ) Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley Mark du Plessis 5 50kg $200

Priced around $34, Circle of Fire is an intriguing choice with the ability to handle the Cup’s demanding 3,200-meter distance. Waterhouse believes that despite his longer odds, the horse could outperform some of the more sought-after competitors.

Circle of Fire jumps from the challenging barrier 24, the widest position, which provides obstacles for early positioning.

However, the horse’s proven endurance and form as a Group 1 two-mileer make it a viable long-term candidate.

French stayer Vauban ($4.50) is currently the pre-race favorite, slightly ahead of the Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo ($5).