The rain didn’t dampen spirits at Flemington. Picture: news.com.au

Group hug. Picture: news.com.au

What are friends for? Picture: news.com.au

The grassy dancefloor heats up. Picture: news.com.au

Eating isn’t cheating. Picture: news.com.au

Smile for the camera. Picture: news.com.au

One punter was hoisted onto his mate’s shoulders. Picture: news.com.au

This racegoer had a novel idea for phone storage. Picture: news.com.au

At the end of the day, the shirts became untucked. Picture: news.com.au

Some racegoers managed to stay dry. Picture: news.com.au

There’s always someone pretending to be a horse. Picture: news.com.au

The raid didn’t win. Picture: news.com.au

Dancing queen. Picture: news.com.au

That’s not a microphone. Picture: news.com.au

Strike a pose. Picture: news.com.au

The dancefloor heats up. Picture: news.com.au

NEWS.COM.AU assignment - NO BYLINE - DAYRATE Punters at Melbourne Cup, EXCLUSIVE, 4 November 2025,

Some punters were less upright than others. Picture: news.com.au

Some dresses succumbed to the wet weather. Picture: news.com.au

Water is life. Picture: news.com.au

When the damage is already done. Picture: news.com.au

Man down. Picture: news.com.au

Mullet of the day. Picture: news.com.au

Thousands of revellers continued the party after the main event. Picture: news.com.au

Not a hair out of place. Picture: news.com.au

Picture: news.com.au

Picture: news.com.au

A racegoer’s friend saves her floor length dress from the mud. Picture: news.com.au

A familiar sight at the 2025 Melbourne Cup. Picture: news.com.au

Fans cheer as Half Yours wins the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Willaim West/AFP

Heels and wet grass is always a challenge. Picture: news.com.au

The race might be over but the party’s just started. Picture: news.com.au

Broken umbrellas were a popular accessory. Picture: news.com.au

Jackets did the job if you left your umbrella at home. Picture: news.com.au

Punters continued to party after the race. Picture: news.com.au

Sometimes you just don’t have enough hands. Picture: news.com.au

Rain and wind provided a challenge for some. Picture: news.com.au

While the drizzle didn’t stop the dancefloor for others. Picture: news.com.au

Romance at the Cup. Picture: news.com.au

Picture: news.com.au

Before the rain hit. Picture: news.com.au

Ponchos can be hard to manage. Picture: news.com.au

The wines were flowing. Picture: news.com.au

Time to celebrate. Picture: news.com.au

These racegoers were determined not to get their dresses drenched by rain. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

While she might not be able to see, her dress is surely dry. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

She’s in there somewhere. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

This racegoer gave up on the umbrella. Picture: news.com.au

The shoes are off. Picture: news.com.au

These two ladies really tried to stay dry. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

When you’re wondering why you left the house at all. Picture: news.com.au

Sometimes all you can do is laugh. Picture: news.com.au

Another failed umbrella attempt. Picture: news.com.au

Visibility was sometimes low. Picture: news.com.au

No amount of rain was going to dampen this racegoers parade. Picture: news.com.au

Group photo time. Picture: news.com.au

The beers can get wet. Picture: news.com.au

These fascinators might not survive living under the hood of a poncho. Picture: news.com.au

These two ladies were resourceful with their blanket. Picture: news.com.au

Wine, check. Poncho, check. Picture: news.com.au

Picture: news.com.au

Running for cover. Picture: news.com.au

Picture: news.com.au

Selfie time. Picture: news.com.au

Some were clearly winners. Picture: news.com.au

Strike a pose. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

That’s one way to ensure you don’t lose your mates in the crowd. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Tip toeing over the mud is a necessity to stay dry. Picture: Mark Stewart

The panic to get a good spot was palpable. Picture: Mark Stewart

These two punters celebrate an earlier race at Flemington. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

This group of ladies enjoy a few proseccos. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Tongues out for a selfie. Picture: William West/AFP

Sometimes you just need a quiet moment to put your feet up. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Armed with a bottle of sparkling and on the cans, this group of women are ready to party. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

This couple enjoy the sunshine from the comfort of the grass. Picture: Mark Stewart