Natalie Imbruglia performs Australian anthem at Melbourne Cup

Natalie Imbruglia has delivered a career first at today’s Melbourne Cup, with viewers praising the star for her performance.

Natalie Imbruglia performs the national anthem at the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Channel 10

Natalie Imbruglia has performed the Australian anthem for the first time in her career at Tuesday’s Lexus Melbourne Cup.

The Sydney-born singer, 48, brought the nation to a halt – minutes before the official race that stops the nation – for the all-important entertainment part of the sporting event.

Delivering a pitch-perfect rendition of Advance Australia Fair, Imbruglia won over viewers for her debut anthem showing, with one dubbing her an “all time great”.

Natalie Imbruglia… all time great 👏👏

— Mark Haywood (@hayw0od) November 7, 2023

A rousing rendition of the national anthem from @natimbruglia 🙌

📽 @10SportAU | #MelbourneCuppic.twitter.com/Ezbb0oQZRX

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 7, 2023

Imbruglia earlier said it was an “honour” to be tapped to sing the anthem for the historic race day.

“I’m looking forward to singing on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, not only to a packed crowd at Flemington, but to share this moment with the millions of people tuning in around the world,” the Torn singer said.

Imbruglia followed fellow Australian singer Delta Goodrem, who put on a show in the Mounting Yard at Flemington for the first time since 2007.

Goodrem, 38, kicked off with a piano performance of her 2002 hit Born to Try in line with the 20th anniversary of her debut album Innocent Eyes.

Delta Goodrem performing the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Channel 10

While vocally perfect, some fans felt Goodrem’s ballad was a little too sleepy ahead of one of the nation’s biggest sport events.

“Delta superglued to the piano as usual. Way to put everyone in the mood. If the mood was a solid 8 hours sleep,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

Goodrem and Imbruglia were also joined by Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens as part of the entertainment line-up.

Rock with us and @JonStevensMusic 🤘

📽 @10SportAU | #MelbourneCuppic.twitter.com/wpg85G4Hym

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 7, 2023

“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of my favourite events of the year and I’m stoked to be part of the entertainment line-up on such an iconic day,” Stevens, of INXS fame, said.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup is broadcast into 209 countries and territories with a potential global reach of 750 million people, according to the Victoria Racing Club.

Originally published as Natalie Imbruglia performs Australian anthem at Melbourne Cup