Australia gets loose as Victoria Derby Day kicks off Melbourne Cup carnival

The Melbourne Cup carnival is officially underway, also kicking off Australia’s annual post-race day antics at Victoria Derby Day.

Derby Day 2023. Photo: Supplied

Australians have shown once again that when it comes to letting loose, we cannot be beat.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival — the annual horseracing extravaganza headlined by the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday — traditionally kicks off with Victoria Derby Day with fans cramming into Flemington.

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The 168-year-old race for three-year-olds over 2500m was run and won in a photo finish for the Chris Waller-trained Riff Rocket on Saturday, but the star as usual were the revellers.

Victoria Racing Club expects to host more than 250,000 people across the four days of racing, including Melbourne Cup day.

And the festivities appeared to get off to a well mannered start but there was no doubt the fans enjoyed themselves.

The empties weren’t just from them. Photo: Supplied

That looks like a winner. Photo: Supplied

Smiles a plenty at Derby Day. Photo: Supplied

Fun times. Photo: Supplied

Melbourne couldn’t have turned out a better day. Photo: Supplied

Someone’s backed a winner. Photo: Supplied

A great day out. Photo: Supplied

There was also time for some sweet scenes. Photo: Supplied

A good day was had by all. Photo: Supplied

No mate, you’re not a horse and a jockey. Photo: Supplied

That’s one way to beat the heat. Photo: Supplied

Grass and heels don’t mix. Photo: Supplied

A fun day out at Derby Day 2023. Photo: Supplied

The Derby went right down to the photo. Photo: Supplied

It was a huge day at Flemington, capped off by an epic finish in the main race as Riff Rocket claimed the photo finish, just beating favourite Apulia at the line.

However, those watching from the comfort of their loungerooms were left fuming after

Channel 10’s broadcast of the Derby cut to an ad break right after the photo finish, with some viewers even complaining the coverage went to ads as the horses were coming down the back straight.

One viewer wrote on X: “Channel 10 cutting to an ad break with 400 to go in the Derby. Thank god they are losing the rights next year.”

A second said: “Channel 10 can go f*** itself, halfway down the straight in the main race on #DerbyDay and they cut without warning to an ad.”

Another said: “Channel 10 is unwatchable.”

On Saturday evening, a Network 10 apologised for the blunder.

“During the Victoria Derby race today, our affiliate broadcast partner unfortunately switched to an ad break. All other markets were not interrupted. We apologise on behalf of our affiliate for the interruption to coverage,” the spokesperson said.