Thousands expected at Melbourne Cup

More than 100,000 racegoers are expected to file into Flemington for the Melbourne Cup.

More than 100,000 people are expected to come through the turnstiles at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup.

The $6.2 million race, the richest handicap race in the world and the biggest sporting prize in Australia will be run for the 156th time.

Some of the big favourites include Australian-bred Jameka, and Godolphin’s Hartnell and Oceanographer.

The race will also welcome some of Australia’s biggest celebrities to the exclusive Birdcage enclosure.

Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth’s wife and a successful actress and model in her own right, will be one of the biggest stars at the marquees.

American entertainment personality Maria Menounos will also make her final Cup carnival appearance.

Australia’s 2016 Eurovision entry Dami Im will perform the national anthem ahead of the big race at 3pm.

The Melbourne Cup is also one of the biggest for the fashion stakes, with bold looks and colours expected to take out fashions on the field.

Unfortunately Melbourne’s unpredictable weather shows no sign of letting up for the Cup, with a 50 per cent chance of rain expected during the big race.