Thousands of glamorous racegoers have flocked to the track for the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne.
The biggest day of the Spring Racing Carnival after the Melbourne Cup was held at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, with many celebrities spotted among the punters despite overcast skies.
Punters were seen pushing their way through the gates at the start of the day, racing to get prime seats as the crowds continued to grow by the hour.
The number of participants was the largest the race had seen in more than three years, since the pandemic began.
With the Spring Racing Carnival officially in full swing, eager punters poured onto the track at 12.15pm for the first race, where Japanese pre-race favorite Brave Mead saluted the Gai Waterhouse-trained The Instructor.
Punters were in for a gloomy afternoon, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a cloudy top of 23ºC.
The biggest day of the Spring Racing Carnival after the Melbourne Cup was held at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday
Comedian and television star Andy Lee (left) was among the celebrities in attendance
Selfies were taken at the race site as groups made their way to the track as the day started
Mark Zahra (pictured) delivered on the big stage when it mattered, guiding Without A Fight to victory in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday
A strong field had been assembled for the Caufield Cup feature race over 2400 metres, with the winner taking home $3 million in prize money.
Without A Fight was the name on everyone’s lips after winning the Group 1 race in thrilling fashion.
Mark Zahra rode the gelding from Ireland, an $8.50 odds with bookmakers, to perfection, holding off a fast-finishing West Wind Blows ($2.20), while pre-race favorite Gold Trip ($2.40) ) crossed the line in third place.
“What a moment, I’m so happy,” a jubilant Zahra told Channel Seven after the race.
“I don’t really celebrate much, but with the week I’ve had there are some things that have happened.
‘My wife gave me a kick in the ass this week and said: concentrate on the ride you have and you have a good chance.’
With a cloudy 23 degree forecast for Saturday, many people flocked in between races
Men opted for suits, while women bare their shoulders and thighs in colorful dresses
The stream of racegoers began at Caulfield train station, where they began their journey to Melbourne
Champion jockey Damien Oliver races his final Spring Carnival after recently announcing his retirement in December (pictured left, with his family)
Richmond AFL premiership teammates Jayden Short and Tom Lynch, as well as retired champion Jack Riewoldt, were spotted around the track early on Saturday morning.
Their five-year-old gelding Soulcombe will ride the feature race.
Other celebrities featured included television personalities such as Andy Lee and Rebecca Judd and AFL star and radio presenter Brendan Fevola.
A big race day naturally calls for race day fashion.
In the sea of attendees, women in bright spring colors adorned with elaborate fascinators could be seen alongside gentlemen in sharp suits and formal wear.
Fashion was paramount at the races as women flocked to the stands in traditional floral jumpsuits and tight dresses
Despite the cloudy weather, there were people lining the stands wearing hats and sunglasses
Winners are grinner! The crowds were the biggest since the start of the pandemic as punters returned to the races
Some spectators chose the higher area to get a clearer view of the races. The photo shows Mia Fervola and her boyfriend Bass Mille
Men opted for suits with the most popular colors being navy blue, blue and brown.
Women wore a mix of neutral, floral and vibrant patterns in tight dresses in the moderate temperatures of the day.
As usual, protesters from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses camped outside the gates.
Campaign director Elio Celotto told The Age they want to educate racegoers about what he described as a “ruthless, brutal” industry.
“People go to the races thinking it’s an innocent day out, but what they’re really supporting is animal cruelty,” Celotto said.
“Without us here, without us doing the important research, we wouldn’t know that 168 racehorses have been killed this year.”
Groups took advantage of the famous Caulfield Cup Carnival backdrop as the crowd grew by the hour in anticipation of the Group 1 race
People of all ages showed up for one of the biggest days of racing in the country
Television presenter and model Rebecca Judd was seen among the crowd enjoying the day
Floral dresses were a major theme of the day
Brave Mead won the first race of the day, the 1400m Lamaro’s Hotel Plate, followed by Sunsets and Irish jockey John Allen who claimed the 2000m Ned’s Classic.
Schweppes Ethereal Stakes (Group 3) was won by Autumn Angel, while Damien Oliver aboard Arkansaw Kid claimed the fourth race, the Stow Storage Gothic Stakes, after a protest was rejected by the stewards.
The Caulfield Cup was first held in 1879 and has become one of Australia’s richest thoroughbred horse races.
When the races started, the stands were packed with suits
AFL legend turned radio identity Brendan Fevola (pictured left with wife Alex, daughter Mia and Mia’s boyfield) enjoyed himself in the VIP section
Brown, blue and navy suits were among the most popular with men who also opted for dark ties to mark the occasion