Champagne popping as Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off

The champagne has been popped as this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival officially kicks off. Momentum is building at Flemington Racecourse ahead of its 163rd Melbourne Cup. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to pack the racecourse over the carnival’s four main days. The carnival starts with Derby Day on Saturday November 4, followed by the Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day. Several jockeys are set to retire at the end of the 2023 racing season including Damien Oliver.