Newcastle venues attracted hundreds of fashionistas and punters, all celebrating the racing event of the year.
Pubs and restaurants started to fill-up around midday on Tuesday November 5 as patrons gathered to watch the 164th Melbourne Cup.
The Honeysuckle Hotel sold out their harbourside tables weeks in advance and around 130 tickets in their upstairs VIP section while the Beach Hotel had around 550 people book across the pub and the Peregrin restaurant.
Hopeful punters crowded around the big screen at the Beach Hotel for the big race at 3pm.
Jacob Spruce was lucky enough to place a bet on the winner, Knight's Choice, potentially winning $585.
"I place bets every year, I saw Knight's Choice and I thought Newcastle Knights, sweet as, I have to," Mr Spruce said.
He said it was his first time choosing the front-runner and he was stoked with the results.
Lauren Dawson also saw her local team's name and thought she better place bets on Knight's Choice.
"It has been an awesome day, a great group of ladies, and we are having fun," Mr Dawson said.
General manager of the Beach Hotel, Gareth Rattley said they were close to the numbers they wanted to hit.
"From the moment we opened the door, we had queues of people coming in," he said.
A total of $8.5 million was on offer again this year for the 3200 metre race around Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.
Shay Riley-Lewis ditched a cocktail dress and fascinator for a jockey costume.
"It's like a Christmas that I spend with all my friends, so we do it every year," Ms Riley-Lewis.
"It is a really great excuse to get out and have a day off work and do day drinking with friends."
Waterfront celebrations
Locals flocked to the Honeysuckle Hotel for a day full of live entertainment, fashions on the field, and sweeps.
The restaurant had two lunch offerings before the races from 12pm to 3pm, with canapes for $179 per person and harbourside tables with sparkling wine, seafood platter and antipasto platter for $400 per table.
Event and marketing manager at the Honeysuckle Hotel, Talia Michell said they sold out their harbourside tables a couple weeks in advance and around 130 tickets sold in the upstairs VIP section.
"Tables on the harbourside definitely sold out quicker than last year," she said.
"It is a really great spot out there. We are tracking pretty well with the Melbourne Cup, it is always a great day," she said.
Ms Michell said after the race, the live music and entertainment would continue.
Amy Bruniges and Prue Jenkins have been marking the cup day for almost 20 years.
They placed their main bet for OneSmoothOperator.
"It's a great name, we celebrate together every year," Ms Jenkins said.
"We usually get here early, have a few drinks and put multiple bets on," Ms Bruniges said.
Celebrating the races since he was a kid, Charles Williams donned a horse-spotted vest, made by his sister.
"It is always a good day, everyone's happy," he said.
"I've got a roughie, sharp and smart."
International horse Vauban was the cup favourite for the second year in a row for Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
