Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Flemington-bound racegoers can be seen donning their finest as morning trains depart from Flinders Street station.
All eyes will be on Robbie Williams today, both before the race – when he’s due to perform four songs in the Mounting Yard from 2.15pm – and after it, when he’ll deliver a full set to the stayers on the Elms Live Stage, starting at 5.45pm.
Williams is no stranger to major events in this town, having headlined the AFL grand final in spectacular fashion in 2022. In fact, he’s no stranger to this town either, having set up camp for a good chunk of that year while he was making the biopic Better Man here.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece was so impressed with having Robbie in town that at a free gig in Fed Square in January 2025 he presented him with the key to the city, a relatively rare honour that has only ever been presented to about 40 people. But we’re pretty certain the cheeky chappy is the only recipient who’s starred in a movie in which he has the face of a chimpanzee.
Williams even performed a couple of concerts during that stint specifically for the movie; though everyone in attendance was effectively an extra, they still had to pay for tickets. It was worth it, though, as he staged a mock duet with a Tom Jones impersonator, leading the crowd in a chant in honour of Shane Warne, and even doing one song twice because the crew didn’t quite get it the first time round.
Melbourne Cup punters have endured a chilly start to race day as the spring carnival continues to be plagued by a spring cold snap.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast a possible chance of morning showers with southerly winds predicted at 15 to 25km/h.
Hopefully, skies will clear by 11am and the ground should remain dry for the rest of the day.
A top of 18 degrees has been forecast, which should peak just before the running of the Cup at 3pm.
When it comes to rating international horses in this year’s Melbourne Cup, few people are better placed than Francesca Cumani.
The English commentator first came to Australia 20 years ago as a strapper for trainer Luca Cumani, her father, and has been coming back ever since.
She has seen the carnival from both sides of the fence.
The Cumanis came agonisingly close to winning our greatest race when Purple Moon finished second in 2007 and Bauer lost by a whisker the following year.
It’s the race that stops the nation – but how do you actually select a Melbourne Cup winner?
Some veteran punters like to spend hours studying the form guides, while newcomers might opt for their favourite number, silk colour, a name they like or rely on superstitions.
But what does the data say? Which barrier number has the most wins in Flemington history and are you better off picking a gelding or a mare?
Here’s our guide to help you navigate Australia’s greatest race.
Chicken sandwiches are one of the all-time cocktail party classics. And in Melbourne, the one sandwich to rule them all is the one made by caterer Peter Rowland.
It’s been seen at some of Melbourne’s swankiest luncheons, parties and events since 1962 – an astonishing 50 tonnes have left the Peter Rowland kitchen over the past 64 years.
Matthew Haigh, who spent 11 years as Peter Rowland Group’s executive chef, says the chicken sandwich remains timeless.
“While some food trends have come and gone, the chicken sandwich has stood the test of time and shows no signs of losing its popularity.”
The Peter Rowland version uses soft, crustless white bread lightly spread with butter and filled with a combination of poached chicken and house-made mayonnaise flecked with chopped chives and parsley.
The exact recipe has remained a closely guarded secret. Until now.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Cup Day in Melbourne.
The race that stop the nation might not be run until 3pm, but there’s so much to look forward to before and after as well. Today we will take you inside the marquees, among the crowds piling in to Flemington and give you the best view of the fashion at the track. Not to mention the inside word and analysis on the races.
Buckle up, secure your fascinators, and let’s go.
