Melbourne Cup 2014: As it happened
RACEDAY RECAP: Relive all the fun, fashion, celebrity goss and Melbourne Cup coverage from the big day at Flemington.
Spring Racing Carnival
Don't miss out on the headlines from Spring Racing Carnival . Followed categories will be added to My News.
RELIVE all the fun, fashion, celebrity goss and Melbourne Cup coverage from the big day at Flemington.
Protectionist won the race from Red Cadeaux and Who Shot Thebarman.
But the race was marred by the death of favourite Admire Rakti.
Scroll below to relive the big day as it happened.
MELBOURNE CUP PICTURES: Flemington fashion, fun
READ MORE: Crop top crackdown, racegoers fail to follow the rules
PROPOSAL: How Edelsten popped the question
SPECIAL REPORT: Melbourne Cup wrap
4.45: We’re wrapping up our Melbourne Cup Day live coverage. You can get the latest updates of what is happening on the track here.
For full coverage visit heraldsun.com.au throughout the evening. Subscribers download your special iPad edition tonight.
4.30: Racing Victoria said in a statement that Araldo was treated by the oncourse vet team after suffering an injury to its right hind leg when it took fright upon returning to scale and kicked the fence.
The horse has been transported by ambulance to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital for further treatment and assessment.
4.00: There are reports another Melbourne Cup horse Araldo is fighting for its life after shattering cannon bone while returning to the mounting yard.
Get live coverage of the big race from SuperRacing HERE
3.43: The Chief Steward Terry Bailey has confirmed the favourite Admire Rakti collapsed and died after the race. CUP TRAGEDY: Admire Rakti dies
3.40: Channel Seven is reporting Admire Rakti collapsed in his stalls after the race and has died.
3.13: The favourite Admire Rakti finished last.
3.06: Protectionist has won the Melbourne Cup. Red Cadeaux was second again and Who Shot Thebarman finished third.
3.03: And they’re off
2:59: Ring crisis averted, Gabi has found her ring after crawling around Emirates. She said it is too big for her finger and when she went to get something from her bag it fell off. Gabi had to tell Geoffrey she lost it. But lo and behold she later found it and has taken to wearing it on her thumb. Could Geoff have been sizing her ring on ex’s Brynne’s finger?
2.57: THE horses are on track now and making their way to the barriers.
Get live coverage of the big race from SuperRacing HERE
2.47: GABI Grecko has dropped her engagement ring in the up-market Emirates marque and has been seen crawling around on all fours to retrieve it. In the Myer marque Frankston MP Geoff Shaw has been spotted.
2.42: NOT long to go now. The huge crowd at Flemington have just watched Jemma Rix perform the national anthem. The horses are now parading around the mounting yard. Great conditions on track — it’s about 28C.
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
2.30: JUST 30 minutes until the big race. The jockeys have entered the mounting yard as Jemma Rix sings Heroes Live Forever.
Get live coverage of the big race from SuperRacing HERE
2.25: NINJA Turtles have joined tattooed highlanders, sumo wrestlers and sunflower men to show Flemington’s fashionable fillies you don’t have to be in the birdcage to have a party.
Racegoers flooded the lawn early to set up camp, parking picnic blankets in prime view to watch the thoroughbreds hurtle down the track, and throwing social norms dictating the appropriate time to crack a beer to the wind.
2.15: HOLLYWOOD It girl Gigi Hadid reflected on her former boyfriend Australian pop star Cody Simpson at the Melbourne Cup today.
Supermodel Hadid said: “I dated an Aussie. Being on the Gold Coast is like being back home in Malibu — laid back. All Aussie are laid back and easy to hang out with. I’m happy to be back. It’s awesome.”
Hadid and Simpson dated for a year before splitting in July.
The Sports Illustrated beauty visited Cup Carnival as a guest in the Emirates marquee.
“I’m so in awe; everyone looks really amazing,” Hadid said if the trackside fashions. “In general, Aussie designers are some of my favourite.”
Shealso spoke of being a positive role model to young women about body image.
“My biggest thing is eat healthy. I was a volley ballplayer for 12 years, I rode horses my whole life, now I’m boxing everyday,” she said. “Eat clean to stay fit, and have a cheat day to stay sane. That’s what I go for.”
MELBOURNE CUP PICTURES: Flemington fashion, fun
1.55: THE Bachelor Blake Garvey and his new squeeze Louise Pillidge were a picture of happiness during their first public outing.
The couple were guests in the Swisse marquee and unfazed by recent controversy following Garvey’s proposal to Sam Frost at the end of the show.
“It’s my first time here, it’s so exciting,” Pillidge said.
“We’re a normal couple and we want to experience normal things and this is our first outing and so far it’s been amazing.
“I understand with The Bachelor ... it’s a bit of a whirlwind and I’m so excited to be here with my boyfriend and I love saying that.”
Pillidge, wearing a Harris Scarfe dress, said she heard Frost and other bachelor contestants were there on Derby Day.
Garvey attended with her dad Terry. He said it was an enjoyable day despite the awkward run-in with Frost in the Swisse marquee.
“I did really well on the punt so I hope it carries on,” he said.
Human Nature and Les Miserables performed in the Swisse marquee.
1.36: AT Myer Fashions on the Field fierce fashionistas pulled their skirts
up high to hide any hint of midriff and while no one wearing a crop
top was turned away from entering FOTF, only girls whose stomachs were
at least covered in sheer fabric or fine lace progressed to the
finals.
Kate Peck pushed the boundaries offering some sneaky skin on show but
joked that her striking emerald green dress by Yeojin Bae isn’t
“technically” a midriff but more of a “Tastefully exposed front panel
that is balanced because of the long sleeves.” And it obviously met
the dress code criteria because no one battered an eyelid in the
Birdcage. READ MORE: Crop top crackdown, racegoers fail to follow the rules
1.26: MEGAN Gale was ravishing in red at her first Melbourne Cup.
The supermodel flaunted her enviable frame in a figure hugging Victoria Beckham dress.
“I know it was no midriff and I saw on Derby there was a bit of a hint of skin, and it’s all about how you are as a person,” she said in the Swisse marquee, alongside partner Shaun Hampson.
“And it’s how you carry yourself.
Everything is so monochrome you’ve got to go colour today.
“Derby is usually the fun day whereas I feel like today is more fun.” SEE THE LATEST FASHION PICS HERE
1.22: IT IS pretty windy out there already. We have had wind gusts of more than 50km/h. Winds could get up to 100km/h later this afternoon. It is 25C at the moment.
12.52: FOLLOWING their shock Cup proposal, Gabi Grecko and Geoff Edelsten headed to the Emirates marquee where they are guests.
And it was Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who was first on their hit list.
The alarmed pollie had no way of escaping as Edelsten beelined for her, introducing his flamboyantly dressed (on-again) fiancee to her as she looked around for someone to save her.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s bemused daughter Frances went on to say hello to the Foreign Minister after Grecko had made a safe departure. Awks! SEE THE LATEST GEOFFREY EDELSTEN PICS HERE
12.45: FACEBOOK have been crunching the numbers this morning, analysing the buzz around the Melbourne Cup from its 13 million Australian users.
They say, local favourite Fawkner has emerged as the clear leader among punters, while Lucia Valentina and Admire Rakti round out the trifecta.
12.10: GEOFFREY Edelsten has proposed to on and off again girlfriend Gabi Grecko outside the Myer marquee.
Live on Herald Sun camera, Edelsten dropped to one knee and told Grecko he has searched the world for the perfect woman.
Wearing a canary yellow suit asking Grecko, wearing an elaborate Native American inspired sequined corset outfit, for her hand in marriage.
Only in the Birdcage. Click here to read more about Geoffrey Edelsten’s proposal to girlfriend Gabi Grecko
11.32: THE big buzz around the Birdcage already is there was a huge blow-up between some Blockheads after Channel Nine’s pre-Cup party.
Whispers in the Lavazza marquee say two Block contestants were hammering into each other with abuse being hurled and one leaving in tears. See the latest pics here
11.26: PERHAPS it was the early weather but the Flemington is already full of
activity and champagne flowing.
In Emirates some of the early guests include Molly Meldrum, Frances
Abbott and boyfriend Lindsay Smith, the cast of Sunrise, and Home and
Away star Demi Harmen.
Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons and his fiancee Elissa Friday sure stood
out in the fashion stakes, also in Emirates.
11.13: YOU will need to hold onto your hats at Flemington this afternoon.
Winds gusting to 100km/h are forecast to hit the Melbourne area just after the big race.
Clouds are already gathering building up, but we should reach a top of 29C before a change hits about 6pm
11.05:HAVE you seen the Rolling Stones around Melbourne? Send us your pictures if you have email photosvictoria@news.com.au
10:45: BACHELORETTE’S, Big Brother’s, Project Runway’s and MasterChef’s all joined forces in what was a reality show mash up for an exclusive champagne breakfast at Mon Bijou before the race that stops the nation.
Controversial bachelorette Amber said she wasn’t attending the big day thanks to that pesky “horse allergy” and whispered she felt Bachelor Blake Garvey and Louise Pillidge’s first public appearance in the Swisse marquee was “all a bit soon”. Ouch! Click here to read more Bachelor goss.
10.34: THE first race of the day has been run and won with Antelucan saluting.
Big crowds are continuing to stream into the course which is covered in brilliant sunshine.
Get live coverage of every race from SuperRacing HERE
10.20: YESTERDAY the word was almost set in stone that the Rolling Stones were set to roll into the Birdcage.
But Ronnie Wood has said the Cup conflicts with other commitments as they prepare for their first Melbourne concert at Rod Laver Arena tomorrow night. But our sneaky spies tell us there may be some satisfaction after all with Keith Richards a possible start me up for Oaks or Stakes Day in the Lavazza marquee. Read the latest about the Rolling Stones here
9.27AM: Reports that a swarm of bees are buzzing punters at North Melbourne station. Are you there? Tweet us @theheraldsun
9.23AM: Our first Melbourne Cup picture gallery has been published. Check out the early photos from a magnificent day at Flemington. Click for MELBOURNE CUP 2014 PICTURES
9.02AM: THE Cup is down to 22 runners following the scratching of Sea Moon on Monday and Cavalryman this morning.
Japanese topweight Admire Rakti is the $5 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds, ahead of Kris Lees’ mare Lucia Valentina, the Darren Weir-trained Signoff and import Protectionist, all on the second line of betting at $7.
Get live coverage of every race from SuperRacing HERE
8.36AM: Don’t bet a lot but having a flutter today? Never fear, we have all the info you need in our formguide for the average racegoer.
8.30AM: The gates have opened at Flemington, with punters rushing to get the best spots to watch the big race.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a top of 29C today. It will be mostly dry with a late, gusty change.
8.25AM:Check this link for live racing coverage all day from SuperRacing.
8.20AM: Metro is operating a Saturday timetable today and reporting good service on all lines. Trains are running to Flemington from Flinders St. Check station boards for train times.
8.04AM: Godolphin stayer Cavalryman has been scratched from today’s Melbourne Cup. Click for full report.
8.02AM: A JAPANESE horse that has already conquered Caulfield will start overwhelming favourite to win the 154th Melbourne Cup before a Flemington crowd of more than 100,000.
Seven-year-old Admire Rakti will become the oldest horse and the first since Ethereal in 2001 to win the Melbourne-Caulfield Cup double if it is first past the post in the race that stops a nation.
But the favourite will have to defeat a field of 22 other contenders whose connections all carry their own hopes and dreams of winning Australia’s iconic race.
READ MORE: Japanese horse Admire Rakti favourite to win Melbourne Cup
7.56AM: The Melbourne Cup is literally the race that stops a nation. We even stop going to the toilet.
Reporter Fiona Hudson investigates.
How punters are enjoying Melbourne Cup Day on social media
MORE REPORTS
RACING LIVE: Melbourne Cup Day from Flemington
GERARD WHATELEY: Melbourne never better than on Cup Day
RACE LEGENDS: Broken records and big hearts
CUP CONTENDERS: Your ultimate form guide
Bec’s out-of-this-world Caulfield Cup outfit
Melbourne’s most fashionable frocked up and flocked to the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, with bold colours and dramatic headwear trackside favourites. But it was one fashion-forward WAG whose holographic jumpsuit had the punters talking.
What’s open on Melbourne Cup day
THE RACE that stops the nation is here. If you’re confused on what’s open or what services are running, look no further because we have all you need to about the Melbourne Cup public holiday.