
The Melbourne Cup on display at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

Australian model and personality Tegan Martin carries the Melbourne Cup trophy during the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival launch at Flemington Racecourse.

Former Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jimmy Cassidy kisses a parade horse during the 2019 parade in Melbourne, Australia.

Performers dance during the parade through the streets of Melbourne, which takes place the day before the famed "race that stops a nation."

Roving stilt performers wow the crowds at the Melbourne Cup Parade.

The parade features a pageant of racing royalty including retired race horses, such as 2007 winner Efficient and 2015 champion Prince of Penzance.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp (left) and Victoria Racing Club Chairman Amanda Elliott hold the Melbourne Cup during the Parade.

Last year's winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who triumphed on board Cross Counter, arrives on a horse as his wife Cathy McEvoy carries the original Melbourne Cup trophy alongside their children.

Models on stilts stand at the entrance of The Park, the lively, family-friendly area at Flemington Racecourse.

The trendy Birdcage hospitality enclave is where the rich and famous go to see and be seen. A new feature for 2019 is the Bird Bath Bar area.

Fashion is a big part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Huge prize money is up for grabs for the Meyers fashion award winners.

Legendary sprinter Usain Bolt is one of a host of celebrity visitors at the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

The Birdcage corporate hospitality marquees try to outdo each other for style, luxury and "experience." Sweets from pastry chef Darren Puchese are seen at the Tabcorp marquee.

The Melbourne Cup never fails to attracts large crowds

Fans in bright outfits gather to celebrate ahead of the races.

Glenn Boss rides Melbourne Cup contender Constantinople (left) and Jye McNeil rides Huntly Castle (right) during a trackwork session at Flemington Racecourse.

Horses jump out of the gates to begin Race Seven, the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Craig Williams rides Vow and Declare (right) to win the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

Craig Williams celebrates after riding Vow And Declare to the win the Melbourne Cup.

Billy Egan on Bravo Tango won the Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy in race two.

James McDonald (in second) rides Akari to win the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.

Jockey Glen Boss crosses the line in first place on Makybe Diva during the 2005 Melbourne Cup. Boss and Makybe Diva won three Cups in a row between 2003 and 2005.

Michelle Payne rides Prince of Penzance. In 2015 she became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.

Bart Cummings (left), the most successful trainer in Melbourne Cup history with 12 wins, poses with jockey Blake Shinn their horse Viewed ran to victory in 2008.

Horses race past the crowd during the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup attracts celebrities from all over the world. Here, supermodel Naomi Campbell poses with the Melbourne Cup in 2013.

Even royalty partake in the revelry. In 2012 Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall greets racegoers.

Jim Cassidy rides Might and Power (right) to a dramatic victory in 1997 by a nose ahead of Greg Hall on Doriemus in one of the tightest finishes in Melbourne Cup history.

The crowd walk past spring flowers during the 2004 Melbourne Cup.

Punters cheer their favorites forward in 2017. Last year, one punter turned a $3 bet into $114,000 in winnings.

Horses burst from the blocks. This year's purse is valued at A$8 million.