Usain Bolt tipped to join Derby Day celebrations as Melbourne Cup carnival kicks off at Flemington

SPRINT king Usain Bolt is expected to join the Flemington festivities on Derby Day, as the Fashions on the Field race hots up.

LIGHTNING will strike at the Melbourne Cup carnival, with the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt expected to attend Flemington celebrations.

Bolt, who ran his last race at the World Championships in August is in Melbourne for a holiday and is expected to attend the Birdcage this Saturday on Derby Day.

Bolt is the latest famous face to line up for the carnival where horses and fashion are equally celebrated.

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Other guests include businesswoman Priscilla Presley; actors Melissa George, Jane Seymour; Zoe Ventoura and Hugh Sheridan; models Robyn Lawley, Montana Cox and Shanina Shaik; singers Natalie Imbruglia and Taylor Dayne and footballer Dustin Martin. West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, who this week won a libel case against Fairfax, is also being courted by a number of marquees.

Bolt is expected to spend time again with good friend and former Australian 400m runner John Steffensen, and they could be guests in the Mumm and Kennedy marquees.

John Steffensen and Usain Bolt horsing around at Flemington last year.

But despite plenty of celebrities coming to the track, this year’s Myer Fashions on the Field national finalists are proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a winning outfit.

Tasmania finalist Amanda Southwell made her outfit from head to toe for less than $200, while Melbourne-based NSW winner Crystal Kimber has recrafted a raffia embroidered skirt that belonged to her mother into a dress.

“You don’t have to spend a fortune to look good,” she says.

South Australia winner Melissa Barnes says she saved $1000 buying her Roksanda skirt on sale, while Western Australian winner Annabel Davy’s designer Louboutin heels were purchased on eBay.

Fashions on the Field finalists Annabel Davy (WA), Crystal Kimber (NSW), Amanda Southwell (Tas), Melissa Barnes (SA) and Stacie Galeano (QLD) with the Brian, the Clerk of the Course’s horse. Picture: Alex Coppel

The only winner not wanting to divulge how much she paid for her outfit was Stacie Galeano from Queensland, who’s dress was inspired by Alexander McQueen. “I don’t want it in the paper, my husband doesn’t know how much I spent,” she joked.

The Victorian finalist is chosen on Oaks Day ahead of the final.

Flemington Ambassador Georgia Connolly and Myer Fashions on the Field ambassadors Rebecca Harding and Dalton Graham will welcome the finalists in the new look Fashions on the Field enclosure, inspired by dressing rooms of years gone by with a modern edge fit for today’s stylish racegoer.

It will be a cool start to the racing week for punters with Derby Day’s weather mostly sunny and 16C.