Wild celebrations following the 2022 Melbourne Cup proceeded far into the night, with some stylish bettors left a little worse for wear on the street and others caught engaging in public displays of affection.
On Tuesday evening, Australians had reason to celebrate after watching the renowned race that stops the nation, which this year drew a vibrant audience of well-dressed bettors to racetracks in Sydney, Melbourne, and the rest of the country.
In spite of two years of Covid interruptions, revelers celebrated the night away after Gold Trip, ridden by rider Mark Zahra, raced to win, with Emissary placing second and High Emocean coming in third-from-last.
As they trickled out of Flemington and Randwick racecourses, racegoers were already geared up for a big night, with several women removing their heels totally as they headed to post-race festivities.
One gambler chose to remove his shirt as he fell through the wet grass at the Melbourne racetrack, much to the entertainment of the audience, who cheered him on and videotaped the incident with their cell phones.
Later in the evening, it appeared that Melbourne Cup attendees had reached their limit, with one woman collapsed on the street and missing a shoe while her devoted companion sat close.
Others were spotted swilling drinks and puffing on vapes in pubs and clubs around Sydney and Melbourne, while a couple stole a kiss under the stars.
Attending the largest day on Australia’s racing calendar, where the majority of women wore pink, orange, and red flower designs, energized revelers maintained a high level of excitement.
Star trainers of Gold Trip, Ciaron Maher and David Eustance, won consecutive races after Memory Of Her Majesty The Queen was defeated by Detonator Jack in race eight.
The victory represented redemption for Zahra, who was forced to watch his ride from the sidelines. Verry Elleegant won the 2021 Melbourne Cup during his suspension for violations of Covid restrictions.
Last year at this time, I was watching Verry Elleegant win and being reprimanded for excessive drinking. It’s an unbelievable feeling to have redemption on a horse like this with my good friends,’ he stated.
Elyse, Zahra’s ecstatic wife, joined him in his post-race interviews, yelling in joy and declaring, ‘We’re not doing seconds anymore,’ he revealed this week. No further seconds’
Interpretation was the lone horse that did not complete the race, however it is believed that the horse is well.
One Melbourne Cup Day bettor received a staggering $155,000 from a $1 wager that returned a 100% payout, but many others were left with a hole in their pockets due to the success of outsiders.
However, it did not prevent revelers from enjoying a drink or two in the Birdcage or making bets with pals trackside as they continued to celebrate the legendary race day.
In Melbourne, punters endured the coldest Melbourne Cup day since 1995, when temperatures reached a low of 13.6C as icy winds and intermittent rain pummeled the city throughout the day.
Attendees were observed holding umbrellas or safeguarding their expensive clothes with transparent ponchos, which were abandoned as a brief period of afternoon sun revealed a rainbow spanning the track.
Up to 24,000 spectators basked in the sun at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, while others took to the waterfront of Sydney Harbour to commemorate the legendary race.
In both locations, police were present to ensure that post-race festivities did not become too raucous when racegoers began to exit the racetracks.
Earlier in the day, race officials were on high alert after a self-proclaimed “problem gambler” entered Flemington Racecourse and poured an oily substance on the track.
Tuesday morning at approximately 6 a.m., at least two individuals ran onto the historic track and sprayed a dark substance over the course in apparent protest against the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
The material has not been formally identified, although it was described as “oily” and one individual turned themselves in.
The VRC verified that authorities had cleaned a portion of the track at approximately the 1500-meter mark on Tuesday morning and that the race could proceed.
The protester stated in a statement that they had demonstrated against the construction of a wall intended to prevent floodwaters from the nearby Maribyrnong River from destroying the racetrack’s turf.
Some locals were angry by the construction of the wall, claiming that it redirected water toward their homes and increased the likelihood of future flooding in their neighborhoods.
The day was not without of drama, as climate change protesters used a van to block a major road outside the track while they yelled at patrons approaching Flemington.
A protester was heard saying, “Eat your pheasant, drink your wine, your days are numbered, you bourgeois pig!”
Fans have hailed the singing of the National Anthem by Australian musician and heartthrob Cody Simpson, who attended the Melbourne Cup with his fiancée and fellow swimmer Emma Mckeon.
Social media fans praised the 25-year-performance, old’s calling it “one of the best” in a long time.