Nation set to stop for the 166th running of the Lexus Melbourne Cup and global superstar Robbie Williams

Run every year since 1861, it is known as the race that stops a nation®, captivating and enthralling Australians unlike any other event - both on and off the track. 

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher will saddle a record seven runners, including race favourite Point of Law, who secured his place in the field with victory in the Geelong Cup. Another Maher-trained runner, Shockletz, secured her place in the field with victory in the Lexus Archer Stakes.  

Ireland continues to be a major force in the race, with dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien returning with one of the strongest international contenders, last year's runner-up Goodie Two Shoes. 

Jockey James McDonald will ride Trustyourinstinct for the Irish trainer and will be hoping to continue his hot form from Howden Victoria Derby Day where he rode a remarkable four winners including the Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby and Group 1 TAB Empire Rose. McDonald tasted success in the Lexus Melbourne Cup in 2021 aboard the Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant. 

The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup hero, Knight’s Choice, returns to Flemington for trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symonds, with Robbie Dolan in the saddle, aiming to join an exclusive group of horses to win multiple Lexus Melbourne Cups. 

Leading into the arrival of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy, the crowd’s excitement will be amplified with a special performance by global music icon Robbie Williams. This will be the biggest pre‑Cup performance ever staged at Flemington, with Robbie delivering a host of his biggest hits alongside a full cast of backup dancers to supercharge the atmosphere. 

The world-famous Birdcage will play host to well-known faces including Lexus ambassadors and racing royalty Emma Freedman and Kate Waterhouse at Lexus, Olympians Peter Bol, Harry Garside and Cooper Woods at Crown, premiership players Hugh McCluggage and Connor McKenna at TAB, media personality Scott Cam and Olympian Ariarne Titmus at Nine, former Carlton star Marc Murphy and wife Jessie at G.H. Mumm and designer Pip Edwards at Don Julio. 

The Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions On The Field competition, presented by Lexus, returns to Flemington's famous front lawn with a striking new pavilion, with registrations for the Best Dressed and Best Suited categories open to all racegoers between 9:00am and 10:00am, while the competition officially kicks off at 10:10am.  

Three winners from each category will go through to the grand final on Crown Oaks Day.  The design and creative led category, the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, will also be judged on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, with the overall winner announced at 2:00pm. 

The Elms Live Stage, presented by Macca's, will host Robbie Williams' second performance of the day following the final race on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day. The 75-minute performance will mark Robbie's first Australian concert appearance ahead of his BRITPOP World Tour, which begins in Adelaide on 7 November. Racegoers can enjoy an energetic set from the ultimate showman, featuring global hits including Let Me Entertain You, Angels and She's the One. Robbie's Lexus Melbourne Cup Day performance is included with a General Admission ticket. 

The Victoria Racing Club’s Pin & Win campaign has raised more than $9 million for charities since it was introduced in 1995. This year, pins will be sold across the course for charity partner, Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania, assisting them as they help seriously ill and injured children and their families stay together and close to hospital by providing accommodation, living support, education and scholarships. 

The commemorative pins sell for $10 for the Lexus Melbourne Cup pin and $20 for the diamante horseshoe and limited addition bejeweled Racehorse pin for $50 with all purchasers eligible to enter the draw to win over $170,00 worth of prizes including a brand new Lexus RX 450H+Luxury.  

Pin & Win Ambassadors Lorinksa Merrington, Declan Cleary and Elly Wicks will all be on track to promote the campaign. 

The Victoria Racing Club is proud to partner with DrinkWise to raise awareness amongst racing enthusiasts about the importance of moderation if choosing to consume alcohol. The Victoria Racing Club wholeheartedly supports the DrinkWise messaging which will be seen on digital and social channels, as well on the big screen and 800m track signage, in bars, the entry and exit to Flemington Station, in the race book and at all licensed venues around the track. 

The VRC encourages all racegoers coming to Flemington Racecourse to enjoy the sensational racing on offer during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, respect one another and moderate their consumption so they can leave in the same classy manner in which they arrived.