Its Melbourne Cup day. 

The race that stops a nation, one of the greatest horse races in the world gets underway at 5pm.

Gai Waterhouse is favoured to win her first Melbourne Cup with Fiorente, the 6.2 Australian million dollars Melbourne Cup race is filled with international interest this year.

Nine overseas-trained runners are in the field, including the likes of 2011 winner Dunaden.

Last year's winner Green Moon and Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner are among the runners owned by Lloyd Williams that will make up a quarter of the field.

Sweepstakes and fancy hat competitions are part of the Melbourne Cup race buildup here at home. 

Stay with us for updates.


Story by: Filipe Naikaso
Source: stuff.co.nz