Soggy suits and plastic ponchos dominate 2022 Melbourne Cup

What happens when you add 90,000 punters, the coldest Melbourne Cup day in almost 30 years, and a whole bunch of booze?

Maybe not for this guy.

While the Melbourne Cup field captures the attention of the nation, so too do punters who book a day off work – and probably the next day too.

So far, they’re not the images you’d typically expect of the crowd enjoying Melbourne Cup Day.

Days, weeks or even months have been spent going into the flashiest frocks for race day.

But today, the classic plastic poncho has emerged as this year’s fashion trend for the peak Spring Carnival event as cold, windy and wet weather bears down on Flemington.

Hopes of a miraculous clear up for the race that stops the nation seem perilous, with a 70 per cent chance for the 3pm feature race start time.

Despite the inverted umbrellas and cold wind conditions, spirits are high trackside.

Here’s what the 90,000 or so punters have been up to so far.

We’ll be sure to keep you abreast of the punter’s day as the event rolls on.

Race-goers were teased with a glimpse of clear weather before all hell broke loose. Photo: William West

The brollies got a workout.

before … Photo: Daniel Pockett

After … Photo: Michael Klein

Wild scenes at Flemington.

Pew pew.

We all needed a lie down after the race. Photo: AAP Image/Con Chronis

It’s a good day to be a poncho merchant! Picture: Michael Klein

Umbrellas were under attack.

Difficult conditions for horses and punters.

It’ll be fun, they said. Picture: Jason Edwards

Others adopted the Dutch courage (x2) to deal with the weather. Picture: Jason Edwards

Winners are grinners. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The sun broke through. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Who got the slip and slide out?

Melbourne had it all — including hail. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Rain rain go away.

The ponchos aren’t winning fashions on the field. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Carnage. Photo: Jake Nowakowski

Umbrella merchants are probably doing all right too.

Nothing like having a flutter in the rain. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

An umbrella tent?

Still beats a day at school. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Punters shelter from the rain. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Survival 101: Huddle together for warmth. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Some savvy punters got their hands on a tarp! Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Melbourne Cup. 2022. People prepare for rain. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Melbourne Cup. 2022. People prepare for rain. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A rainbow suit – did he jinx the Melbourne Cup? Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Punters arrive at Flemington station. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

It’s been dubbed the most “miserable” Cup Day weather in almost 30 years. Picture: Jason Edwards

2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Rain hits the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Jason Edwards

There have been plenty of inverted umbrellas. Photo: Quinn Rooney

What about the legs?

Another umbrella bites the dust.

‘Take it now before the rain ruins it’. Photo: Daniel Pockett

Now that’s an umbrella! (Photo by Martin Keep/Getty Images for VRC)

That’s how it’s done! Photo: Martin Keep

Spirits are high despite the deluge. Photo: Martin Keep

Every year, there’s a backflip guy.

This couple ponders their life choices.

No escaping the ponchos this year.

All that time spent getting ready to cover your outfit with a plastic poncho. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Some umbrellas couldn’t handle the weather. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

How do we get home? Picture: Jake Nowakowski

What are friends for? Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Romance on display at Flemington. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Punters run for cover.

This is fine.

A day to remember.

Maybe not for this guy.

Originally published as Soggy suits and plastic ponchos dominate 2022 Melbourne Cup