Live coverage has concluded.
What you need to know:
- Verry Elleegant wins Melbourne Cup
- Tralee Rose hospitalised after reportedly being galloped on
7:25pm
And in the day's final race, Quantico has taken out the MSS Security Sprint.
Sirius Suspect finished in second, while Prime Candidate took third - despite having led for much of the race.
That's the end of the day's racing, but we'll stick around to wrap up anything else from Flemington.
6:48pm
The day's penultimate race, the TAB Trophy, has been won by Spirit of Gaylard.
Blushing Tycoon takes second, and Maracana is third.
6:30pm
News coming through that horse Tralee Rose has been taken to hospital, after she was galloped on during the Melbourne Cup race.
All other 22 horses that took part in today's great race are said to be healthy.
We'll keep you updated as soon as we know more.
6:04pm
The Melbourne Cup may be finished, but there's still racing to be had at Flemington.
Race eight, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, has been won by Rich Hips.
Exceldia comes in second and Paul's Regret is third.
5:55pm
Verry Elleegant owner Brae Sokolski has apologised for his antics, saying adrenaline got the better of him.
"[I'm] apologetic about the protocols, but I wanted to be with the mare and Incentivise," he says.
"Sorry, the adrenalin got the better of me. These moments are once in a lifetime."
He also owns Incentivise, so first and second place will more than make up for whatever punishment comes his way.
5:36pm
There's been a bit of controversy after the win though.
Verry Elleegant's part-owner Brae Sokolski jumped the fence onto the track to celebrate after his horse's win - breaching COVID restrictions at Flemington.
There'll no doubt be more to come there...
5:19pm
"I love her to bits," James McDonald tells Channel 10. "She's been so good to me.
"She was relaxed out there. She was relaxed the whole way. When I looked at the 600m, I was blowing kisses to her the whole way.
"I don't know. I just can't believe what's just happened.
"I never thought I would ever win one, you know. I always dreamed of winning one, but, it's so hard to win."
5:17pm
That's a first Melbourne Cup for Chris Waller too, as Very Elleegant becomes the first Kiwi horse to win the Cup since 2015.
5:12pm
Scenes at Flemington, that's meant a lot to James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller.
That's Verry Elleegant's 10th group one victory.
Race favourite Incentivise settles for second, with Spanish Mission in third.
5:06pm
What a win from Verry Elleegant, and Kiwi jockey James McDonald!
5:05pm - VERRY ELLEEGANT WINS MELBOURNE CUP
Spanish Mission and Verry Elleegant make their moves as we get to the final straight!
Verry Elleegant runs away and wins the Melbourne Cup!
5:04pm
Persan holds the lead with 1400m to go. Grand Promenade has moved up into third place, with Incentivise still sitting second.
5:03pm
Explosive Jack gets off to a great start, with favourite Incentivise hanging towards the back at the 400m mark.
Persan leads at the first turn, but Incentivise has climbed up to second!
5:02pm
They're away at Flemingtong!
4:59pm
The horses and jockeys are getting into the starting gate.
4:57pm
The jockeys are getting ready for the start of the race. Three minutes to go!
4:54pm
Melbourne has turned on a stunner, 29 degrees for the 10,000 lucky punters and fans at Flemington for the afternoon!
4:50pm
Ten minutes to go!
All the best to everyone with a bet on today, and all those looking for bragging rights in your office sweepstake!
4:40pm
Apologies, aside from the ones mentioned below, Explosive Jack, Johnny Get Angry, Miami Bound and Tralee Rose are all also Kiwi-bred horses.
4:30pm
Half an hour to go!
For anyone looking to back a horse with a Kiwi link, NZ trained The Chosen One could be a good bet - he ran fourth last year.
Otherwise, Kiwi owned Ocean Billy is another worth looking at.
If you're after a Kiwi jockey, then Verry Elleegant (James McDonald), Great House (Michael Dee) and Knights Order (Daniel Stackhouse) are all horses with NZ connections.
Famed Kiwi trainer Chris Waller has three horses in the race, with Verry Elleegant, Great House, and Selino.
Lastly, if you're just wanting to back the winner, then Incentivise is running at the shortest odds since Phar Lap.
4:15pm
Right, the big race is up next. The Melbourne Cup is is 45 minutes away.
If you're still weighing up having a flutter, Newshub's Luke Robinson has broken down every single contender.
Stay tuned.
4:02pm
Race six is done and dusted. Profiteer takes out the Schweppervescence Plate, jockeyed by Kiwi James McDonald.
He'll be up again in the Melbourne Cup on Verry Elleegant in just under an hour.
Direct finished second, and Enthaar third.
3:26pm
Race five has been won by Lackeen. Jockey Damien Oliver picked up his 20th victory on Melbourne Cup day in the process, and he'll be up again on Delphi in the big race later this afternoon.
Frankie Pinot takes second, and Blondeau comes in third.
2:49pm
Race four, the Furphy Plate, has been won by Milton Park. Skyman finishes second, with Charleise in third.
2:30pm
Jockey Blaike McDougall has had a good start to the day.
Riding Team Captain in race two, and Excelman in race three, McDougall has already picked up two wins from three attempts today.
He'll be riding Carif in the Melbourne Cup in a few hours.
2:20pm
Jeez. One punter across the ditch has placed a staggering $22,900 bet on The Chosen One to take out the Melbourne Cup later today.
Paying $8 for the win, that bet would bring home a cool $183,200 if The Chosen One can take out first place.
Gamble responsibly everyone.
2:12pm
Race three, the Subzero Handicap, has been won by Excelman. Naval Envoy takes second, and Standoff is third.
1:49pm
It's worth noting that Brereton, who won the day's opening race, is trained by Peter Moody - who's also the trainer of today's favourite, Incentivise.
1:41pm
Protesters outside Flemington have been apprehended, after reportedly attempting to storm the gates yelling "Nup to the cup."
1:29pm
Race two - the Macca's Run - has been won by Team Captain.
Race favourite Accountability came in second, while Good Idea completed the placings in third.
12:55pm
The first race of the day - the Darley Maribyrnon Plate - has been won by favourite, Brereton.
12:40pm
The punters and fans have started to arrive at Flemington, after the 2020 Melbourne Cup took place behind closed doors.
A total of 10,000 spectators will be in attendance later this afternoon, as Melbourne's COVID restrictions were eased just in time for the race that stops two nations.
12:11pm
The actual Melbourne Cup will be raced at 5pm (NZ time), as the seventh race of the day.
12:01pm
We're in for a real treat today. If you're unsure about who to back for this afternoon's race, then favourite Incentivise is paying the shortest odds since Phar Lap.
But if you fancy something else, Newshub's Luke Robinson has put together a more than comprehensive guide for you to read up on throughout the day.
11:29am
Hello folks, a late scratching to report. Future Score has been pulled from the race.
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Kia ora, good morning and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the 'race that stops two nations' - the Melbourne Cup from Flemington.
While the event is an Australian institution, with Victorians celebrating a public holiday on the first Tuesday of November, New Zealand also enjoys a rich history in this race.
If you're only a casual punter, this is the one day each year you reach for your wallet for an entry in your office sweepstake.
Fortunately, Newshub and the TAB have produced a sweepstake kit and form guide just for you.
Of course, much like 2020, this year's Melbourne Cup will lack much of the pomp and ceremony that comes with it.
Victoria's recent COVID-19 lockdown had put a real damper on proceedings and while locals will be relishing their newfound freedom, only a limited crowd of 10,000 punters will be allowed at Flemington Racecourse.
That means presumably we won't be seeing scenes like this...
But we will likely still see scenes like this...
