Tens of thousands of racegoers will descend on Melbourne’s famous Flemington racecourse to watch the running of the 164th Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

At a carnival where horses, jockeys, trainers and connections are just as important as the celebrities and entertainment, the fun began at the Victoria Derby on Saturday, with Tuesday’s race the centrepiece of the carnival.

The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation at 3pm every year, will be followed by Oaks Day (popularly known as Ladies Day) on Thursday and then finish with the family-friendly Stakes Day on Saturday.

Victorian Racing Club ambassador and the only female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne, said the eight-day carnival holds a special place in her heart.

“It’s the elite racing. It’s what we train for, it’s what you want to be competing [in] … anyone who is a sportsperson is competitive and you want to be the best at your craft,” she told Melbourne’s Herald Sun at the launch of the carnival on October 28.

“Melbourne comes alive with racing after football and there’s just that electric feeling through the city.”

Shot at fame

Payne shot to worldwide fame and stardom in 2015 when she became the first and only female jockey to win Australia’s most iconic race aboard longshot Prince of Penzance, who is now enjoying retirement at Living Legends.

She recalled her brother Patrick riding in the Melbourne Cup when she was five years old.

“I became obsessed with it then and I remember the next year when Let’s Elope won, it just blew me away.

“It’s gone to another level with the internationals and the glamour side of things. All the celebrities that come out to watch it, they really embrace the race that stops a nation, so it’s fantastic.”

Riches on offer

VRC chairman Neil Wilson says across the four days of the carnival, there’ll be a total of 37 races run carrying prize money of $30 million.

There’s eight Group 1 races headlined by the running of the $8.56 million Melbourne Cup.

“This year, we will welcome an elite group of international horses that have travelled across the world to participate against Australia’s best,” he said.

Victoria’s Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines adds the event overall generates about $468 million in economic activity and provides employment to 18,000 Victorians.

Entertainment

US singer-songwriter Anastacia performed on Derby Day, followed by a DJ set from Empire of the Sun.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is the main attraction on Melbourne Cup day.

Irish superstar Ronan Keating, who found fame in the 1990s boyband Boyzone, will be there on Oaks Day with The Temper Trap rounding it out for Stakes Day.

Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian will fly in for the Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day. Photo: ABACAPRESS.COM

Celebrities

Previously engaged to Australian cricket legend, the late Shane Warne, actor and model Elizabeth Hurley and her son, Damian, 22, will fly in for the Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day.

They’ll have lunch in the committee room, wander through the exclusive Birdcage enclosure, and announce the overall winners in Fashions on the Field.

“Watched by millions across the globe, we are looking forward to being at Flemington to experience the event first-hand and hopefully find a winner along the way,” she said.

“We are also very much looking forward to all the fashion and entertainment that makes this carnival truly unique.”

How to watch the carnival

As the official broadcast partner, Nine’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup begins from 11.30am on Nine and 9Now.

Long-time sports broadcaster Eddie McGuire, will be in the on-course studio, James Bracey in the mounting yard, the UK’s Francesca Cumani offering expert analysis, Billy Slater with exclusive jockey interviews, and Tony Jones bringing live updates from the mounting yard.

Racing experts Grace Ramage, David Gately and Payne will deliver all the insights across all four days of racing.

Kayo Sports also has a subscription package.

How to get to the track

There are three parking options with access to the track and designated ride share, taxi and private car drop-off zones.

Trains leave Flinders Street Station from 9.12am to 3.39pm with express services and services stopping at Southern Cross, North Melbourne, through to Flemington Racecourse.

Trains also leave from Southern Cross Station from 9.22am to 1.33pm stopping at North Melbourne, through to Flemington Racecourse.

Getting home is the bigger headache for racegoers.

Trains leave Flemington Racecourse from 1.36pm up until 8.59pm.

What’s the weather forecast?

The all-important Cup Day forecast is for 26 degrees with southerly winds of 15km/h to 20 km/h throughout the day and 21 degrees on Oaks Day.

Who are the favourites in the Melbourne Cup?

Cox Plate winner Via Sistina will not run in the Melbourne Cup so the Chris Waller-trained import Buckaroo has been left the favourite for Tuesday’s race, along with Vauban.

English raider Onesmoothoperator, who produced a scintillating win in the Geelong Cup, is the next best, ahead of Sea King who impressed in winning Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup.