Day at the races turns to chaos with drinks & limbs everywhere as Willie Mullins lands to ready Vauban for Melbourne Cup
A DAY at the races turned to chaos with drinks and limbs everywhere - as Australia got the party started early for the Melbourne Cup.
Punters piled into Flemington racecourse for Derby Day last Saturday and really let their hair down with a few bets and beers.
But it looked like a monster clean-up operation would be needed to get the famous track back in shape for the 'race that stops a nation' - which will be run at 4am UK time on Tuesday.
The pristine turf was strewn with litter chucked to the ground.
And pictures showed a few racegoers on the deck too, no doubt feeling the effects of one too many.
Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot hero Vauban is the red-hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
And his top Irish trainer Willie Mullins landed Down Under just in time to see owner Rich Ricci's horse - who recently left another trainer 'scared' - draw barrier three in the huge two-mile race.
Vauban, a multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler - who took a chunk out of David Casey the other day - is the 3-1 fav to scoop the £2.4million winner's prize... although a whole host of big names including defending champ Gold Trip are in behind.
He's drawn in stall two while big fancy Soulcombe is in four - meaning whoever is first out the gates could hold the key to victory.
Vauban showed he can cope with big crowds over here but it looks like being a totally different beast in front of the raucous Australians.
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Especially if these scenes of total carnage from Derby Day are anything go by.
The ground was covered in empty drinks and discarded food as racegoers knocked back the booze.
One man dressed as a jockey rode another in a grey blazer and light chinos like a horse.
Another photo showed a group of girls soaking up the sunshine after a day spent cheering on winners.
Australians love their racing and there is simply nothing like the Melbourne Cup.
Even more so this year, as loyal Aussies stick with their much-loved Gold Trip.
But he will be giving roughly half a stone in weight to Mullins' Vauban, who was always bought with this race in mind despite his awesome career over hurdles.
Mullins said: "It’s our strongest chance ever, it probably will be my strongest chance ever."
For charismatic owner Ricci, though, the minutes leading up to and during the race will be unbearable.
He couldn't watch at Ascot in June when Vauban thrashed Absurde - a 20-1 shot for the Cup - by seven-and-a-half lengths.
And he said it will be no different this time.
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The finance executive who's said to be worth £100million commented: "I feel the pressure and I don't want to let people down.
"It's an honour and a pleasure to be part of this, and it's great to have the favourite, but I know I'll feel nervous come the race and I won't be watching Vauban."
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