It was the day that stopped the nation but when it came to fashion on the fields for the Lexus Melbourne Cup it was the South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech who captured all the attention.
Adut stole the show with her stunning red dress in what was a first sighting with her beau.
Flanked by her family and friends, she held hands with her boyfriend Samuel as she sauntered into the LANDMARK by Lexus entertainment pavilion ahead of the race that stops the nation.
Donning a jaw-dropping red Effie Kats dress, the second time she has worn the striking colour, and Stephen Jones Millinery hat, Akech certainly left a mark on guests as she experienced the luxury space.
Many other big names were seen wearing their best, such as Australian singer Sheldon Riley, racing royalty Kate Waterhouse and Emma Freedman, TV presenters Lisa Wilkinson and Melissa Leong as well as Australian actress Anna Torv.
The race itself was won by Gold Trip who romped home ahead of Emissary and High Emocean, with favourite Deauville Legend beaten into fourth.
Gold Trip had finished second in the Caulfield Cup, and a week later raced unsuccessfully in the Cox Plate but he made up for that by winning the race that stops the nation.
