1. How Long Is The Melbourne Cup Race Track
2. How Long Does Melbourne Cup Race Go For
3. How Long Is The Melbourne Cup Race

As was said throughout the day ad nauseam, the Melbourne Cup 2020 is one that will live on in the memory for a long time to come. By Georgia Rickard and Paul Robinson. The Melbourne Cup Carnival isn’t just about a single race – festivities overrun the city for more than a week, with four unique race days taking place. Sport, fashion, food and entertainment share the spotlight and the eyes of the world are on Melbourne. So dress up, sip your champagne and hope that you pick a winner. Melbourne Cup Day has been observed in Australia since the first race was held at the Flemington Racecourse in Victoria in 1861. The race was won by Archer, who won it again the following year. The event features races, including the handicap race which is run by about 20 thoroughbreds for a couple million Australian dollars.

It's the race that stops a nation but it's usually the punters that make the headlines

The joys of a live TV news cross.Source:Channel 10

As was said throughout the day ad nauseam, the Melbourne Cup 2020 is one that will live on in the memory for a long time to come.

While Twilight Payment’s incredible victory was somewhat unexpected at odds of $26, it was everything around the great race that seemed different.

About 100,000 fans usually pile into Flemington but in the midst of a pandemic, the bare stands were almost unrecognisable.

It was the first Melbourne Cup in 160 years that fans weren’t allowed in.

But it didn’t stop Melburnians from getting out and about as the city emerged from months of COVID-19 lockdowns.

Footscray Park, opposite Flemington Racecourse, saw hundreds set up beach tents and marquees with families flocking to parks and playgrounds.

But as fatigue set in as the day went on, and others over-indulged on the traditional day off in Melbourne, one element appeared to re-emerge as attitudes loosened up.

In one memorable moment, Channel 10’s Lee Steele had to deal with revellers during a live cross, including one who licked the reporter, and another who mooned viewers.

The reveller forgets that film is forever.Source:Channel 10

The annual tradition of getting loose in broad daylight continued with photographers out and about capturing the post-Melbourne Cup day festivities — in Victoria and around the country.

Having a heart to heart. Picture: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia

A woman in a wheelchair was assisted by medics. Photographer: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia

At least she's staying safe.Source:News Corp Australia

A woman dances in front of social distancing enforcement security.Source:News Corp Australia

Getting stuck into the beers before midday is perfectly normal for punters attending the Melbourne Cup.

What follows usually ends in a mess of people lying on the ground in their finest outfits and fascinators, plenty of people playing stacks on and an unusual amount of people playing with bins.

The Melbourne Cup has created its fair share of iconic characters but one that stands out was the stunning brunette who became know as “fairy floss girl”.

She went viral after a photo of her chowing down on some fairy floss at Flemington got shared around the world.

Just 18 at the time of the 2016 snap, Karly Tsivoglou is now a doting mother who likely leaves the sweet treat for her son.

Radio host Kyle Sandilands reminisced about the iconic Ladies Day moment yesterday.

“She was a beautiful brown girl,” he said on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. “She was just gorgeous. She was hoeing into that big fairy floss stick.”

Punters out and about for Melbourne Cup day in Sydney’s Newtown.Source:NCA NewsWire

Punters are pictured dressed up and enjoying themselves on Melbourne Cup Day in Sydney.Source:NCA NewsWire

Keeping hydrated at Melbourne Cup Day celebrations in Doomben, Queensland. Photographer: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia

One water, one wine at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan PeledSource:News Corp Australia

It’s the heels, honestly.Source:News Corp Australia

Racegoers enjoy the Melbourne Cup race-day at Doomben Racecourse.Source:News Corp Australia

Melburnians appeared just happy to get out and about on Cup Day.Source:News Corp Australia

People gather in Footscray Park opposite Flemington Racecourse.Source:News Corp Australia

Racegoers leave Royal Randwick after the Melbourne Cup race meet.Source:News Corp Australia

Taking a punt at Royal Randwick.Source:News Corp Australia

It was a big day on the track.Source:News Corp Australia

A makeshift dance floor in Brisbane.Source:News Corp Australia

Late afternoon at Doomben.Source:News Corp Australia

Source:News Corp Australia

A young woman being helped by security at Doomben.Source:News Corp Australia

Another leaned in for a cuddle.Source:News Corp Australia

How Long Is The Melbourne Cup Race Track

Horseracing fans were given a masterclass performance from Twilight Payment as rider Jye McNeil got emotional after his maiden win in the great race.

How Long Does Melbourne Cup Race Go For

But the day was also overshadowed by a major tragedy as one of the favourites in the race — Anthony Van Dyck — was euthanised after suffering a fractured fetlock during the race.

How Long Is The Melbourne Cup Race

It has led to widespread criticism and a horrified reaction.