Jockey Jamie Melham has become the second woman to win the Melbourne Cup, storming over the finish line on Half Yours.

The only Australian-bred galloper carried the weight of the nation when it lined up on a wet Tuesday for the $10 million race.

Star jockey Melham was chasing her own slice of history on the five-year-old. Her win also made her the first woman to complete the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.

Last month, Melham had become the first woman jockey to win the Caulfield Cup. She followed it up with Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup win, a decade after her close friend Michelle Payne became the first victorious woman.

Melham wanted to emulate Payne on the 10th anniversary of her famous win aboard 100-1 shot Prince Of Penzace.

“I’ve got tears in my eyes, it’s the most incredible feeling,” Payne said.

“For Jamie, who deserves it, it’s even better.”

Jamie Melham reacts after riding Half Yours to victory. Photo: AAP

Half Yours burst clear in a thrilling finish at Flemington for father-son training duo Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

Two-time winner Joseph O’Brien’s Goodie Two Shoes was second, with Ciaron Maher-trained Middle Earth third.

French raider Presage Nocturne was smashed into $5.50 favouritism before the race but did not place.

Rain threatened to dampen spirits on Tuesday, but the Cup was run on a track that had been upgraded to a soft 5 rating.

Melham is already the first woman jockey to place twice in the Melbourne Cup, having finished third aboard Prince Of Arran (2020) and Okita Soushi (2024).

Half Yours was in the rare position of being an Australian-bred among the top of the market for the Cup, against the usual tide of imported or visiting European stayers.

Melham steered through several gaps, including passing her husband Ben Melham on Smokin’ Romans, to secure the win.

“I wanted to ride him as quiet as I could and at the 400 [metres to run] … I had to let him go,” Melham said.

“There was a tight gap and I said, ‘Move over Ben, I’m coming through’.

“The next gap was extremely tight and I had no say. My horse just took me through it.

“Then he had to produce the finish and the team have just got him the fittest I’ve ever seen this horse.”

Fashions on the field

Bright red and bold block colours were popular fashion choices among celebrities and racegoers as punters braved wintry conditions trackside at the Melbourne Cup.

Payne led the pack with a short bright red number as she arrived at Flemington Racecourse with brother Stevie, who was the strapper when Prince Of Penzance roared to victory a decade ago.

“It’s a really special feeling and special moment, to have Stevie here again, it’s just unbelievable,” Payne said.

She was buoyed three women were riding in the Cup and wished she was out there with them but declined to give her tip, saying she could pick 15 and still not name the winner.

Swimmer Michael Klim’s daughter Stella turns heads in red. Photo : AAP

Punters in high heels carefully navigated soggy grass at the track, as helicopters buzzed overhead ferrying VIP guests to the exclusive Birdcage filled with high-profile guests, sports stars, socialites and titans of industry.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop chose a long orange dress for a busy day of marquee hopping with friends but said wet weather played no part in her fashion choice.

“Rain, hail or shine, I had the outfit,” she said.

“It’s such a vibrant, dynamic meeting of people and the horse racing, of course, is important.”

MasterChef judge Melissa Leong chose a bright green, long sleeve dress and was impressed by how the crowd played with different textures and colours.

“For me, when it comes to spring racing it’s all about watching the fashion,” she said.

Melissa Leong poses in green. Photo: AAP

Cold and drizzly conditions did nothing to dull the revelry and glamour at Flemington as punters arrived early to nab the best spots trackside.

Friends Tiffany Price, Linda Kerr and Tamara Farrelly were overjoyed with the atmosphere after cruising down from Sydney to attend the race for the first time.

Clad in sleeveless dresses, the trio quickly came up with a plan to stay warm: Drink plenty of beer.

“It’s about the look, not about how cold you are,” Price said.

While many men took the chance to flex their fashion muscles, Wayne Fernance left his outfit to his wife and ended up with a bright purple, $60 suit from online marketplace Temu.

Fashionista Geannie Todaro used leftover fabric from her daughter’s wedding dress to create a striking look that she entered into the annual Fashions on the Field competition.

“If you can wear it down the street, it’s not race wear so for race day we go all out,” she said.

Racegoer Geannie Todaro used her daughter’s wedding fabric for her creation. Photo: AAP

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said showers would sweep across Melbourne in the afternoon.

“Race time looks to be on a little bit of a knife edge, we’re anticipating quite a few showers before the race,” he said.

Attendance at the track for the cup has steadily increased in recent years with about 90,000 people through the gates in 2024, although that was still below 2003’s record attendance of 122,000 people.

–with AAP