A familiar bellow of the race caller and hum of overhead aircraft are echoing around Flemington Racecourse as it welcomes thousands of excited punters, many of whom are trackside for the first time in three years.

Derby Day, the first race day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival and considered by thoroughbred enthusiasts as the best quality race meeting of the year, is expected to draw around 75,000 people.

Paul and Michelle Edwards with Andrea and Brett Edwards at Derby DayCredit:Eddie Jim

Last year, a crowd of only 5500 was allowed in due to COVID-19 restrictions. But this year, the manicured lawns, Birdcage marquees and stands are filling up with crowds welcoming the return of a yearly social outing.

Some like Simon Addicoat, of St Kilda, have barely ever missed a race, attending every Derby Day since 1979 except the crowdless 2020 carnival.

Perched on a camping chair metres from the track since the racecourse gates opened at 8.30am, he speculated punter numbers could be down this year as the event returned without any limit on numbers. Nevertheless, he “gets the spot”.

“This is the best spot; you’ve got the screen, you’ve got the mounting yard, the horses coming through,” says Addicoat, who shuns traditional formal dress for a double layer of puffers and a black and white flannelette shirt.

Simon Addicoat was among punters at Flemington from 8.30am as Melbourne’s Derby Day kicked off. Credit:Eddie Jim

“I’m all for dressing up, but I dress for warmth … for an ardent racegoer, it doesn’t [matter if] it’s 30 degrees, or it’s six degrees.”

Nearby, sisters Michelle and Andrea Edwards drew a line through a “bucket list” item to share a spring racing carnival together. The duo, Queenslanders who live next door to each other and whose husbands are cousins, grew up watching the Melbourne Cup from afar.

“We weren’t intending to wear matching dresses,” Michelle said. “But she’s got small spots and I’ve got big spots.”

Brett Edwards said he had a horse racing in a syndicate in Brisbane today. “But who cares? I’d rather be here,” he said. “It’s a great week, we love the social aspect of it.”

Adam Hudson, Alex Dagostin, Trent Kelly and Brent McDonald were among racegoers who find a spot near the finishing post for Derby Day 2022. Credit:Eddie Jim

For some regulars, it’s been three years since they last saw the racegoers they’ve spent decades with at the track. Adam Hudson met his wife Lauren at the Cup and “rain hail or shine” travels from Sydney to be with the same group of friends once a year.

“We’ve done it every year up until three years ago,” Hudson said. “This is the day everyone comes. It’s good to catch up with all our friends and they remain lifetime friends now.”

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