Start: The field got away evenly with Twilight Payment and favourite Tiger Moth pushing forward and racing on the speed. Glen Boss took Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet straight across to the fence from barrier 14 as everyone looked to find cover and a cushy spot. Finche was also looking to be in a forward position.

Victoria Derby day is held on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup each year, the day starts the week long Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington racecourse hosted by the VRC (Victorian Racing Club). The Victoria Derby is a Group 1 race for 3YO Colts and Geldings run over a distance of 2500m for a total prize pool of $1.5 million dollars. Meanwhile, there's talk that the Melbourne Cup race record of 3m 16.3s, held by Kingston Town, might fall today, with conditions considered ideal for a fast race over 3200 metres. The Melbourne Cup race in 2019. Research published in the journal Preventative Veterinary Medicine states racing a two year old horse puts it at greater risk of injury, because the horse's skeletal system is still immature. In Australia, racing two-year-old horses is commonplace.

First turn: Twilight Payment led the field out of the home straight for the first time with Tiger Moth on his back and last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare in the box seat in third. The Caulfield Cup winner Verry Elleegant is near last but, importantly, is settled and in a good rhythm.

1200m: Jye McNeil has started to up the pressure in front on Twilight Payment and he’s leading by a length over Finche who has slipped into second and is following the leader’s every move. Tiger Moth is three lengths back and not interested in going with them. By now the field is well strung out.

Home turn: McNeil has had Twilight Payment in an excellent rhythm to this point and now is ready to let him loose and try to pinch the Melbourne Cup. Finche is under pressure in second as a wall of horses make their runs with Russian Camelot looking a real threat as Verry Elleegant gets going out wide.

Clock tower: Twilight Payment is still leading by more than 2½ lengths but Tiger Moth is eating into his lead and looks a big chance to run him down late. The Chosen One also emerges as a contender while Russian Camelot looks like he won’t stay the 3200m as Prince Of Arran is about to fly past him.

Winning post: In a perfect ride, McNeil gets Twilight Payment over the line half a length clear of Tiger Moth with Prince Of Arran scorching home late to run third and within a neck of Tiger Moth. Verry Elleegant leaves her run too late but comes home well to run seventh.

It's the race that stops a nation but it's usually the punters that make the headlines

The joys of a live TV news cross.Source:Channel 10

As was said throughout the day ad nauseam, the Melbourne Cup 2020 is one that will live on in the memory for a long time to come.

While Twilight Payment’s incredible victory was somewhat unexpected at odds of $26, it was everything around the great race that seemed different.

About 100,000 fans usually pile into Flemington but in the midst of a pandemic, the bare stands were almost unrecognisable.

It was the first Melbourne Cup in 160 years that fans weren’t allowed in.

But it didn’t stop Melburnians from getting out and about as the city emerged from months of COVID-19 lockdowns.

Footscray Park, opposite Flemington Racecourse, saw hundreds set up beach tents and marquees with families flocking to parks and playgrounds.

But as fatigue set in as the day went on, and others over-indulged on the traditional day off in Melbourne, one element appeared to re-emerge as attitudes loosened up.

In one memorable moment, Channel 10’s Lee Steele had to deal with revellers during a live cross, including one who licked the reporter, and another who mooned viewers.

How Long Does Melbourne Cup Race Go For

The reveller forgets that film is forever.Source:Channel 10

The annual tradition of getting loose in broad daylight continued with photographers out and about capturing the post-Melbourne Cup day festivities — in Victoria and around the country.

Having a heart to heart. Picture: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia

A woman in a wheelchair was assisted by medics. Photographer: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia

At least she's staying safe.Source:News Corp Australia

A woman dances in front of social distancing enforcement security.Source:News Corp Australia

Getting stuck into the beers before midday is perfectly normal for punters attending the Melbourne Cup.

What follows usually ends in a mess of people lying on the ground in their finest outfits and fascinators, plenty of people playing stacks on and an unusual amount of people playing with bins.

The Melbourne Cup has created its fair share of iconic characters but one that stands out was the stunning brunette who became know as “fairy floss girl”.

She went viral after a photo of her chowing down on some fairy floss at Flemington got shared around the world.

Just 18 at the time of the 2016 snap, Karly Tsivoglou is now a doting mother who likely leaves the sweet treat for her son.

Radio host Kyle Sandilands reminisced about the iconic Ladies Day moment yesterday.

“She was a beautiful brown girl,” he said on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. “She was just gorgeous. She was hoeing into that big fairy floss stick.”

Punters out and about for Melbourne Cup day in Sydney’s Newtown.Source:NCA NewsWire

Punters are pictured dressed up and enjoying themselves on Melbourne Cup Day in Sydney.Source:NCA NewsWire

Keeping hydrated at Melbourne Cup Day celebrations in Doomben, Queensland. Photographer: Liam KidstonSource:News Corp Australia

One water, one wine at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan PeledSource:News Corp Australia

It’s the heels, honestly.Source:News Corp Australia

Racegoers enjoy the Melbourne Cup race-day at Doomben Racecourse.Source:News Corp Australia

Melburnians appeared just happy to get out and about on Cup Day.Source:News Corp Australia

People gather in Footscray Park opposite Flemington Racecourse.Source:News Corp Australia

Racegoers leave Royal Randwick after the Melbourne Cup race meet.Source:News Corp Australia

Taking a punt at Royal Randwick.Source:News Corp Australia

It was a big day on the track.Source:News Corp Australia

A makeshift dance floor in Brisbane.Source:News Corp Australia

Late afternoon at Doomben.Source:News Corp Australia

Source:News Corp Australia

A young woman being helped by security at Doomben.Source:News Corp Australia

Another leaned in for a cuddle.Source:News Corp Australia

Horseracing fans were given a masterclass performance from Twilight Payment as rider Jye McNeil got emotional after his maiden win in the great race.

How Long Is The Melbourne Cup Race

But the day was also overshadowed by a major tragedy as one of the favourites in the race — Anthony Van Dyck — was euthanised after suffering a fractured fetlock during the race.

The Melbourne Cup

It has led to widespread criticism and a horrified reaction.