4:18pm: Jessica Wright reports on the festive tipping point. There is a certain moment at every major event when the atmosphere shifts from magnificent to messy. That moment came at precisely 4.43 pm for this correspondent at Flemington when a young woman emptied the contents of her stomach (made up of almost exclusively vibrant red alcoholic slushy) on the shoes of her companion, a young chap who gallantly attempted - and failed - to hold her long blonde mane out of the worst of it. A few metres away, another youngish bloke and his mate weaved a wobbly and circuitous route to the exit, matching lobster red sunburn on their necks and tinnies of pre-mixed "alco-pops" clutched resolutely in hand. There is just one race to run on the card at Flemington and the stayers in the crowd are mostly doing an admirable job at remaining on their feet. Workers at the track have a mighty cleaning task ahead of them with discarded betting slips, plastic cups and bottles and form guides building up on the ground and around the main betting ring. Trains are running smoothly from the racecourse and the spring weather - along with Cups winner Fiorente - remains the star of the day, with perfect blue skies still shining over Melbourne. Hot, crowded and intemperate: the strain started to show well before the Cup was run and won. Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones 4:06pm: Final crowd figures for Flemington are in: 104,169 racegoers have made their way to famous Flemington for this first Tuesday of November in 2013. Melbourne Cup a day to remember Watch as the crowds flow through the day at the Melbourne Cup in Flemington. PT1M53S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wz5b 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 4:12PM 4:02pm: And for all of you last-placed fetishists, here's the lowdown on Ruscello's tough day at the office. At least he led past the post (on the first lap). Read more. Ruscello had plenty of horses behind him in Saturday's Lexus Stakes. 3:59pm: Here's some of the numbers on the Melbourne Cup, from just one of the many competing agencies: $90 million was wagered on the 2013 Melbourne Cup with the TAB (NSW and VIC totes) and Fixed Odds Fiorente was the first favourite to win since 2005 and paid $7 One punter had $27,500 @ $7 on Fiorente just before the race and collected $192,500 One Victorian TAB customer turned $1 into $118,652 after getting the first four straight out And of course there is already a 2014 Melbourne Cup market, so glad you asked! 2014 Melbourne Cup - TAB Fixed Odds $10 Fiorente $16 Dandino, $16 Fawkner, $16 Sea Moon $21 Joshua Tree, $21 Simenon $26 Mount Athos, Brown Panther, Green Moon, Tres Blue, Voleuse De Coeurs Others of note: $35 Red Cadeaux, $41 Polanski 3:52pm: And to the all-imporant information on the last-placed horse in the big race. Stand by with your sweep tickets .... Number 24, gate 24 and if not for Verema breaking down, UK raider Ruscello could have finished 24th in the Melbourne Cup. As it was, the horse finished 23rd, which is still defined as last because French stayer Verema did not finish. English trainer Ed Walker said after the race that he should have trusted his gut feeling and not run his five-year-old gelding so soon after winning last Saturday's group 3 Lexus Stakes. Walker said the three-day break before the race did not give Ruscello enough time to recover. 3:40pm: Deborah Gough has the latest buzz: Almost every year they gatecrash causing a buzz at the Spring Carnival and Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, was no exception. Bees swarm to the carnival and this year it was the coveted Nursery enclosure's turn to cop a swarm. It is Victorian Racing Club's keeper of the roses, Terry Freeman's job to move them on, but he says they moved without any assistance. The bees follow the queen bee to protect it in the swarm, he says. When she moves on, the swam goes too, but sometimes he has to call in the professionals. "One year the swarm was on the rear light of a car and it just grew and grew," Mr Freeman said. Eventually he called an apiarist who moved them into a box. Car park Members were fascinated and ended up taking photographs with the guest apiarist: "It made their day." On race days, Mr Freeman's other jobs include fixing loose brick pavers in the betting ring, opening and shutting gates and locating ladies' hats on roof tops. The lawn this year is holding up well, he says, too hot and it burns, too wet and it becomes mud. But any perceived benefit from ladies' heels spiking the lawn fails to make a real dent, Mr Freeman says. "It is completely mitigated by the pounding it takes," Mr Freeman says. "The idea (of the heels aerating the soil) works in principle but it doesn't happen," he said.. As he did after Derby Day, and he will in time for Oaks Day, Mr Freeman orders a little help of a mechanical kind, using a machine to shake and aggravate the soil and bring up the lawn for the next meet. Forget the people and horses, check out those roses, say the bees. Queenslander Brook Shaxson. Photo: Jessica Wright 3:38pm: Jessica Wright turns fashion policewoman: My mother-in-law made me wear it. It's a sure bet Queenslander Brook Shaxson is in the running for the son-in-law with the best sense of humour for a fair few miles in any direction. The colourful Mackay resident has travelled with his three-man punters club to Melbourne for eight days of the spring racing carnival. As for the suit? "I picked the fabric and my mother in law sewed it," he told The Age. She reckons it's loud like me. Indeed. 3:27pm: The country might stop for the Melbourne Cup, but for the racing industry itself, it's more of a pause. Wagga, Mt Isa, Longreach, Dubbo, Orange, Morphetville, Bundaberg, Cairns and Echuca, Mildura, Randwick and Mackay all got back to business between the Cup and race eight at Flemington. And that's not counting non-TAB meetings at places such as Mansfield in Victoria's high country. The racing/gambling juggernaut stops for no-one, not even Gai Waterhouse and Damien Oliver. 3:26pm: Jessica Wright on the Flemington exits: There was an exodus of thousands of race goers out of the racecourse shortly after Gai Waterhouse's winning stallion Fiorente charged past the post and claimed the Sydney trainer's first Melbourne Cup. A massive flow of men and women (many of the latter carrying their stilettos in a time-proven tradition) headed for the train station, set on seeing out the afternoon at any number of Melbourne's pubs, clubs and bars. A few punters were visibly tired and a little emotional and the sight of the odd lass clutching an empty champagne bottle spoke to a day out well enjoyed, but according to a police spokesman the crowd had been "incredibly well behaved" with no arrests shortly before the barriers opened for the big race. Plenty of Ambulance Victoria workers are in attendance at the track, ready to attend to, and pick up the pieces of, the over-exuberant as the afternoon progresses. 8-VISIT VICTORIA PLATE 1800m: 2.80 fav SALON SOLDIER (Australian Bloodstock No 2 Synd, R Kaljo, Ms L Kaljo, E Holoway, J Tupou, G Baldock, D Ackery, S Lewis, J Demetriou, M Avellino, G Lommerse, Mrs K Leverington, Simon & Simon Racing, Cootutam, Front Row Racing, Darn New Frozen Moose, T Clark Synd, King Tiny, Ralph Johns Family & Power Thoroughbreds's b h 5y Soldier Hollow (GB) - Salonblue (IRE). Then followed: 4.00 Rain Drum 56.5 (N Rawiller) 61.00 Durnford 54 (K Mc Evoy) 10.00 Pelicano 57.5 (M Neilson) 14.00 Sheer Talent 54 carr 54.5 (M Rodd) 6.00 Gris Caro 55 (D Tourneur) 71.00 Langridge Street 54 (M Zahra) last. Scr: Keep Cool, Girl Gone Rockin," St Gabriel, Heez Notorious. Scratched at barrier: Auld Burns (26.00). Prices shown are subject to a deduction of 4c win and 3c place. Margins: Len, 3/4 len. Time: 1:48.63. 2:34pm: Melbourne Cup finishing order: 2:32pm: And for the all-important ruling on the last-placed horse in the Cup ..... Import Verema was pulled up while one of the last horses to make the field, Lexus Stakes winner Ruscello, was officially 23rd. Standby for a conclusive ruling for pay-outs on all those Melbourne Cup sweeps! 2:17pm: What a story for jockey Damien Oliver - a third Melbourne Cup. "It's a dream come true," Oliver tells Channel Seven on his way back to the mounting yard. A lot of emotions are going through my body right now. It's great to be part of Gai's first one (the trainer's first Melbourne Cup). She's done so much for racing. Gai was one of the first people to get behind me when I came back (after my suspension). 2:06pm: FIORENTE wins the Melbourne Cup! Finally, a breakthrough for trainer Gai Waterhouse - her first Melbourne Cup. The race favourite staged a memorable battle with the written-off Red Cadeaux down the straight to triumph. Mount Athos takes third in a memorable 2013 Melbourne Cup. It's another Melbourne Cup for jockey Damien Oliver and some form of redemption after he spent a large portion of the past year suspended. It was intriguing to watch two previous second-placed horses in this race battle for the title down the Flemington straight. Favourite Fiorente on the way to victory near the post. Photo: Channel Seven. 1:37pm: Sydney has everything Buddy Franklin wants, but not the spring carnival... Buddy Franklin hanging out in the Birdcage Andrew Hornery catches up with Swan's player Lance Franklin PT1M11S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wywp 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 1:37PM 1:29pm: The jockeys are being introduced, the inspirational theme song has been sung, and the Cup is only half an hour away. Check out our expert's video for your last minute betting advice. 2013 Melbourne Cup market update Leading chances: Fiorente 7.10 now 7.00 Dandino 10.80 now 10.00 Mount Athos 11.90 now 11.90 Sea Moon 12.80 now 12.40 Fawkner 15.70 now 15.60 Dear Demi 16.40 now 17.00 Voleuse De Coeurs 17.30 now 17.60 Hawkspur 17.90 now 18.30 Racing writers' Melbourne Cup tips Melbourne Cup round-up: our racing experts give their top tips for the big race. PT3M22S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wyfr 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 1:32PM 1:25pm: More than 78.000 racegoers were at Flemington by 12noon, ensuring there will be a massive final attendance. Colourful characters at Melbourne Cup The Melbourne Cup is a chance for many to dress up and stand out more than others. PT1M6S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wyus 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 3:03PM 1:09pm: Birdcage update from reporter Georgina Safe: International runways gave way to the fashionable Flemington Birdcage for models including Canadian beauty Coco Rocha and American Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton who wore a figure-hugging red number in the Emirates marquee. Rocha has walked the rarified runways of New York, Milan and Paris, but yesterday the supermodel took a turn on our country's most democratic catwalk at the Melbourne Cup. The Canadian beauty joined local ladies in the portable palaces of the Birdcage in Peter Pilotto dress and oversize Nerida Winter bow headpiece as the VRC's international style guest at Flemington. Upton poured her curves into a figure-hugging Antonio Berardi dress to hold court in the Emirates marquee. More to come 12:48pm: Tony Wright reveals the secret behind that stirring short bugle "first call" call heard before every race. It's known at the track as the Call to the Post, signalling - usually 10 minutes before the scheduled start to a race - that all mounts should be at the paddock exit, ready to take to the track. The tune is usually sounded by a bugler five to 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the race. Being a bugle call, it has a military genesis. At military establishments, it's a pre-reveille courtesy at the dog hour of 5:50am, originally designed to gather the trumpeteers to deliver the 6am reveille that would sound forth at 6 am. All in all, it's preferable to hear it on a sunny spring day at the races - even more preferably if you happen to have your money on the horse that's about to thunder first past the winning post. If you aren't actually at the track today, here's a reminder on YouTube: here. Ladies adjust their finery. 12:43pm: Jessica Wright the infiltrator reports on signs of distress. First signs of lipstick slipping - and the first official pair of shoes to be discarded - as seen in the main stand's cavernous women's toilets. Kudos to racecourse organisers for the soft carpet and lighting. Hard at the boards: Michael Harrak (right) and Steve Hyderabad (left). 12:38pm: Jessica Wright follows the money in the betting ring: The main betting ring at Flemington is heaving early in the day with punters fairly tossing money at the bookies. East Bentleigh bookmaker Michael Harrak, has been at the track since 1993 and reckons the line-up for the Melbourne Cup is a pretty stiff one. "It'll be a good race, a really good race this year," he said. Harrak had the favourite Fiorente at $7, but the Gai Waterhouse stallion was getting no early love with punters. He said the money was split over Hawkspur ($16) and international raider Royal Empire. Race fan John Lawless. 12:25pm: Jessica Wright has found a genuine race fan: Now here's a chap who looks like he knows what he's doing ... Essendon gentleman John Lawless is a keen purveyor of horseflesh and is a life member of the VRC, Flemington and Caulfield racecourses, and, "for the jumps," the Warrnambool racing club - home of the Grand Annual Steeplechase. We caught up with the dapper gent in the main betting ring, deep in concentration in contemplation of the form guide. "I like that Fawkner," Lawless confided. We reckon he might know of which he speaks. 12:17pm: More pre-Cup race drama ... Racing writer Chris Roots reports: Gai Waterhouse's Tres Blue has been cleared to run in the Melbourne Cup after being treated with flamazine, an antibacterial cream, on race morning by his groom at the Werribee quarantine centre. Trainer Gai Waterhouse explained the treatment had been given in error as a treament for greasy heel the horse has been suffering. "He's made a very honest mistake," Waterhouse said. He didn't even realise ... he just put it on. He's just made a human error. Chief steward Terry Bailey quizzed Waterhouse's history of run-ins with stewards over race day treatment. "We've been down this path before," he said. Desert War comes to mind. Waterhouse replied: "You've got a better memory than me, sir." Bailey adjourned the inquiry to do a date to be fixed. Charlotte Dawson at the Lexus Marquee. Photo: Angela Wylie 12:17pm: Andrew Hornery reports: Charlotte Dawson has managed to compose herself to install herself in one of the most prominent positions in the Lexus marquee. The veteran model had been admitted to St Vincents Emergency just 24 hours prior, tweeting an image of her drip as she was being treated for a "panic attack." Dawson is sitting with former Labor power broker Graham Richardson and is clearly enjoying her time at the races despite the raised eyebrows her presence has caused for the marquee hosts. 11:59am: An off-beat column from Xavier Toby ..... If you dare to go along to an actual race day, however, you'll discover that what's on television is a PG version of a very R18+ event. The Spring Racing Carnival is actually a celebration of all things bogan. Where bogans from all levels of society roll around like ecstatic pigs in their most bogan pastimes. Instead of seven levels of hell, at the racecourse it's three levels of mega-bogans. 11:57am: Racing writer Patrick Bartley reports: Racing Victoria tewards have cleared former Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden for a start in today's $6m race after evidence was taken from stable staff regarding a race-day treatment on the eight-year-old stallion. A security guard assigned to Dunaden alerted stewards that a member of trainer Mikel Delzangles" team had treated the horse this morning. RV said that the paste injected into the mount of Dunaden was an anti-ulcer treatment that was not an inadmissable substance that can also be used for joint issues, but declared the substance a race-day treatment. After taking evident from an apologetic Delzangles, chief steward Terry Bailey allowed the stallion to start and adjourned an inqury into the incident to be heard later this week. 11:35am: Race Four Lavazza Short Black 1400m Plucky Belle 17.50 5.10 Trainer Peter Moody Jockey Luke Nolen Arinoso 2.30 She's Clean 3.50 The grey favourite Arinoso looked the winner 300 metres out, but Plucky Belle, ridden from the rear of the field, finished stronger to grab a win by three quarters of a length. 11:30am: Age business guru Ben Butler gets the news from the Myer marquee: Outgoing Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes, who is overseeing his last Spring Carnival marquee, says he doesn't know what he will do with himself next Cup Day. "Maybe someone will be nice to me," he said. I'll try and wander around and make some more friends today so I can get an invite next year. Myer has been a major sponsor of the spring racing carnival at Flemington since 2006, and this year renewed the deal for an additional five years. Its marquee is on Millionaire's Row, overlooking the straight of the Flemington track. "I'm kind of hoping they'll give me a lifetime pass to the marquee," Brookes said. I'll keep my fingers crossed if I'm well-behaved. I'm getting in good with all the marketing guys to make sure they look after me. A keen racehorse owner, he picked Dandino in the Melbourne Cup. Sadly, none of Brookes own horses got a run today. A couple of mine were running but they got bad legs - you just keep paying the bills. You don't go into it on the basis of making money - you go into it on the basis of having fun. Myer chief Bernie Brookes in the Birdcage. 11:12am: Cups hopefuls are arriving on course for pre-race testing. The six-horse Lloyd Williams team has alighted at 12 noon, as planned, after the one-hour trip from Macedon. Leading chances: Fiorente 7.10 Dandino 10.80 Mount Athos 11.90 Sea Moon 12.80 Fawkner 15.70 Dear Demi 16.40 Voleuse De Coeurs 17.30 Hawkspur 17.90 Rails Run: Latest odds for the Cup Our racing experts give an update on all the action from Flemington on Melbourne Cup day. PT2M28S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wy97 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 11:55AM 11:12am: Another missive from the inner sanctum from Age scribe Tony Wright: High anxiety is building at Flemington among journalists and other privileged folk granted official accreditation. The (very) small print on the back of the official pass spells out the alarming news: "Alcohol is not to be consumed by accredited persons." As sticklers for such regulations, you may rely upon the sober accuracy of reports issuing from the Fairfax Media team at the course. Patrons used to have a drink at the Cup. 11:07am: I haven't seen this video, but its title asks a very pertinent question. What does Naomi know about the Melbourne Cup? RAW VISION: Naomi Campbell was paid $75,000 by Lexus for this appearance in the Derby Day Birdcage on Saturday. where she posed, chatted, and answered reporters' questions. PT1M49S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wy5a 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 11:51AM 10:59am: Now is the time to do your Cup form and get your bets on - it will get too busy much closer to the big race. Here's how Fairfax experts Chris Roots and Max Presnell rate the Melbourne Cup runners. And here's Michael Sharkie's assessment of the pros and cons of each runner. Get on. 10:51am: Race 3 - Carnival Handicap 2800m Mujadale 17.10 4.80 Trainer Paul A Jones, jockey Steve Baster Like a Carousel 6.80 Caravan Rolls On 3.00 The favourite Opinion lost all chance when his jockey Nash Rawiller lost his irons inside the first 600 metres. It left Mujadale in front, but challenged by the out of control runner, until Opinion fell away 1000 metres out. Mujadale led by three lengths 700 metres out and won by nearly the same margin, controlling the race from the front. The chasing pack needed at least another 400 metres to catch the leader. All indications so far pointing to the frontrunners having the better time of it today at Flemington. 3-CARNIVAL HCP (96) 2800m: 15.00 MUJADALE (M J Noske, Ms J A Nichols, T N & Mrs J M Chamberlain's b g 6y Mujahid (USA) - Newdale. Then followed: 17.00 Planet Purple 55.5 (M Rodd) 21.00 Thubiaan 55.5 (G Schofield) 41.00 North Lodge 54 (D Dunn) and 81.00 Rowland 54 (R Kingscote) dh, 14.00 Raki 54 carr 54.5 (Nicholas Hall) 9.50 Junoob 54 (C Newitt) 41.00 Why Not 54 (C Schofield) 20.00 Brayroan 54 (Craig Williams) 51.00 Raeburn 55.5 (C Munce) 13.00 Crafty Cruiser 58.5 (B Melham) 18.00 Trajet 54 (J B Mc Donald) 31.00 Caroun 54 (P Mertens) 51.00 Sacred Dream 54 (G Boss) 31.00 Fabriano 54 (Jye Mc Neil) 3.20 fav Opinion 59 (N Rawiller) last. Scr: Gotta Dream, Warwarick, Master's Degree, Karata. 2-1/2 len, len. Time: 2:55.40. Favourite loses stirrups and the race Nash Rawiller on Opinion was the favourite for the Carnival Handicap but when the jockey lost his irons the race became a struggle. PT1M40S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wysn 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 1:42PM 10:43am: Jessica Wright reports: Melbourne's public transport system is running like clockwork with trains every six minutes running to Flemington Racecourse, ferrying punters in their finest to the track in droves. The same could not be said for motorists with lengthy delays and jams on the roads surrounding the racecourse. Travel time by car from the CBD was estimated by cab drivers to be well in excess of 45 minutes. Flinders Street and Spencer Street stations were a burst of colour with women and men gussied up for the big day. A quick straw poll taken at Platform 14 Spencer Street had Fiorente as the clear favourite, in line with bookies predictions. Race goers on the train to Flemington. 10:37am: They sure know how to promote the upcoming Ron Burgundy movie. The latest tactic is to address the Cup. Ron Burgundy's Melbourne Cup message Ron Burgundy has a message for Australians on the day of the 2013 Melbourne Cup. PT0M39S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2ww94 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 11:55AM 10:32am: Georgina Safe has observed: The Mumm marquee is infused with a 1920s fashion theme thanks to the signature style of Sydney designer Johanna Johnson, who has dressed a number of guests in the tent including actor Pia Miller in a cream silk dress trimmed with ostrich feathers and Swarovski crystals. "Pia's dress was the first look we showed on the New York runway about 10 days ago," Johnson said. It's the designer's first time at the Melbourne Cup. I love it. I'm normally too busy working on our red carpet collection, which is being launched in a week's time in the States as well, so everyone is still back in the studio working away. Its actually nice to step out of the realm of the sewing room for a little while. 10:29am: Luke Higgs adds a gem: Analysts from Macquarie use a financial model they use to pick stocks to pick this year's Melbourne Cup winner. They have been doing it since 2006, if you followed their tips and had placed $1000 every year, your $7000 outlay would now be worth a little under $19,000. 10:22am: Scott Spits is trackside: The carnival is indeed a special time of year. The Melbourne Cup evokes memories of years past, recalling each race winner often prompts memories of that year in our lives and and what kept us occupied. Walking through the crowds at Flemington, this remark caught my ear: "I watched The Cup again last year," a keen racegoer remarked to a race-caller in a reference to the film based on Damien Oliver's emotion-charged victory on Media Puzzle in 2002. You were good in that movie! It seemed to spark a recollection of all those within earshot. A nearby attendant quickly quipped: "I was good in it too!" 10:05am: Race 2 - TAB Rewards Trophy Wistful 4.40, 2.00 Minnie Downs 3.90 Rememba Howe 10.00 The favourite wins the second convincingly, racing handy to a breakaway leader and then taking over 400 out and extending to hit the post at least two lengths clear. "She's a real winner," says jockey Kerrin McEvoy of the filly, who has now won four of her eight starts. Trainer Peter Snowden says he wishes he had entered the filly in Saturday's Matriarch Stakes. The winner raced handy to the pace on what looks to be a fast drying track. A pointer to the pattern needed for the Cup? 2-TAB REWARDS TROPHY 1700m: 4.80 fav WISTFUL (Sheikh Mohammed's b m 4y Tiger Hill (IRE) - Angalreem (USA). Trainer: Peter Snowden) 54 (K Mc Evoy) 1, 12.00 MINNIE DOWNS 54 (C Newitt) 2, 41.00 REMEMBA HOWE 55 (D W Stackhouse) 3. Then followed: 26.00 Twilighting 55.5 (D Dunn) 7.00 Endless Shadow 54.5 (Nicholas Hall) 11.00 Blazing Dragon 54 (L Nolen) 26.00 Let's Be A Star 54 (S Baster) 11.00 Sweet Talkin Woman 54 (G Schofield) 71.00 Good Thinking 54 (Katelyn Mallyon) 14.00 Lady Dynamo 56.5 (S W Arnold) 26.00 Nadhima 54 (G Boss) 13.00 Notice Received 54 (B Melham) 13.00 Crimson Lady 54 (Craig Williams) 18.00 Classy Chloe 56 (D Tourneur) 12.00 Goldslick 59 (M Rodd) 81.00 Sinhala 54 (D Gauci) last. Scr: God Help Her, Godspiel, Tully Costa, Tinderbel. 1-3/4 len, hd. Time: 1:42.64. Oliver set with flawless Fiorente Jockey Damien Oliver can't speak highly enough of favourite Fiorente, who trainer Gai Waterhouse hopes can finally deliver her first Melbourne Cup. PT2M0S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wxyh 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 9:56AM Dandino jumping out of his skin The Caulfield Cup runner-up is one of the favourites to take out the Melbourne Cup and owner Darren Dance says Dandino could not be better prepared for the coveted race. PT0M50S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2wy41 620 349 November 5, 2013 - 9:58AM 9:42am: Jennifer Hawkins had bruised feet after Derby Day, but is back for Cup looking fresh and fabulous. "The balls of my feet were completely bruised from dancing in the marquee, so I had to have a little rest," she said. She's wearing a red lace asymmetrical dress by Yeojin Bae and a crown by Nerida Winter. "The one thing I said to Yeojin was that I want to wear lace and I want it to be red," said Hawkins. So she came up with this and I feel really feminine. And being comfortable is a huge thing, so the right shoes are important. You can always play it up with a headpiece. Joining Hawkins in the Myer marquee are television presenter Lauren Phillips and former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic. Phillips has opted for a sleeveless print Cue dress with a Richard Nylon headpiece, and Dundovic is peach Aurelio Costarella and a metallic leather headpiece that milliner Kerrie Stanley created up just last night. "She is so amazing, she whipped this up overnight, because I couldn't see her until Sunday and you kind of need to see the colour of the dress to get a feel for it," said Dundovic. My best dressed so far are Brisbane couple Deborah and John Quinn. They've both embraced the spirit of exuberance and individuality that epitomises the best Cup fashion. John is wearing a waistcoat covered in galloping horses with a top hat and full morning suit, while Deborah's hat is a paper sailboat and worn with an outfit emblazoned with floral stencils and laser cutting by young Queensland designer Austin Moro. "Melbourne Cup is fun and frivolity," said Deborah Quinn. It's a very special day when everyone really tries to dress up and look their best. I'm wearing a Stephen Jones hat which is called Boat, and as you can see it's made out of paper to resemble a paper boat, and I think that's part of the fun of the day. 9:33am: Fashions ought to be bright and bold on such a vivid day at headquarters. Channel Seven begins its rounds of the celebrity coverage with Bruce McAvaney crossing to 'Griggsy'. Ms Griggs She returns the favour by referring to the veteran broadcaster as 'Brucey'. 9:22am: Race 1 - 7 News Stakes Oakleigh Girl 5.50, 2.00 Trainer Danny Bougoure; jockey Craig Newitt Top Dolly 1.80 Singularity 2.30 Oakleigh Girl led all the way and she held a lead of over a length through the final 300 metres. The daughter of Miss Kournikova showed great dash on what looks to be a very slick track. Trainer Danny Bougoure says she has a "very good, very professional attitude." "Who knows how far we can go?" he asks, adding that the Magic Millions is her next target. He says Oakleigh Girl is the fastest horse he has trained. 1-7NEWS STAKES 1000m: 6.50 OAKLEIGH GIRL (Mrs L A Gillard's b f 2y Snitzel - Miss Kournikova. Trainer: D J Bougoure) 55.5 (C Newitt) 1, 3.40 fav TOP DOLLY 55.5 (Craig Williams) 2, 10.00 SINGULARITY 55.5 (Nicholas Hall) 3. Then followed: 8.00 Golconda 55.5 (G Boss) 10.00 Italian Storm 55.5 (J B Mc Donald) 41.00 Japanese Slipper 55.5 (Chris Symons) 41.00 Bella Roma 55.5 (J Noonan) 14.00 House Of Hingis 55.5 (L Nolen) 71.00 Rometty 55.5 (W Egan) 16.00 Western Desert 55.5 (N Rawiller) 21.00 Lumic 55.5 (D Oliver) 81.00 Dance To Inspire 55.5 (J Winks) 13.00 Kristofferson 55.5 (C Schofield) last. All started. 1-1/4 len, 1-1/2 len. Time: 0:57.51. 9:06am: Racecaller Brian Martin has laughed as he revealed the nightmare of trying to differentiate the six Lloyd Williams owned horses in this year's Melbourne Cup. All of the jockeys on Williams charges will wear the identical dark blue silks (with a white armband). He joked that he had been sleeping with different coloured caps in a bid to sort them out. For the record: Sea Moon (blue cap) Fawkner (light blue cap) Green Moon (white cap) Mourayan (red cap) Masked Marvel (pink cap) Seville (yellow cap) Or you can refer to our Cup sweep to see the colours. 8:34am: Flamboyant owner Marwan Koukash has made a big impression in his week in Melbourne. His charge Mount Athos is a favourite amongst punters on the back of his flying fifth in last year's Cup, but locals have warmed to the outspoken and ebullient former refugee turned entrepreneur. And the admiration is mutual, Koukash telling SEN this morning that he "feels like an Australia." "I've met lots of friends," he said of his six days in Melbourne. Asked to explain his affinity with Australians, he said: "I like beer, I like swearing... I call everyone mate! Marwan Koukash 8:19am: TVN has just put up a market showing Verema a firmer from $26 to $13. Punters are obviously impressed by something they saw on video - the French horse is yet to race in Australia., However, French horses have won two Cups from six runners, a far better strike rate than the English - zero winners from 61 starters. On cue, SEN racing expert Jason Richardson names Verema as one of the best two internationals. His picks? Seville from Verema and Masked Marvel and Royal Empire 12, 21, 14 and 16. And I think there's a fair chance none of them will run in the top four! Richardson says of the toughest Cup to pick in short-term memory. Anthony Mithen on TVN just tipped the same quinella - Seville from Verema. Do these experts all dine together? Hampton sisters Libby Maguire and Bronwyn Lewis are experienced racegoers; they were smart enough to bring along emergency shoes - their thongs. 8:15am: Sisters Libby Maguire and Bronwyn Lewis among the first racers at Flemington and were already laughing hysterically. Racing from the turnstiles, Ms Lewis got caught short and didn't have time to put her fancy shoes on. Thong-clad she ran for a table to the Members gate. "Madam, put your shoes on," the gate keeper said. Pleading, she got through holding her heels in her hands. Now they are supping coffee in the Members Lawn at one of the best spots for a sunny day.