More often than not, the Melbourne Cup has a dominant colour when it comes to the fashions.
This year, it's not only a colour but a fruit: the humble tomato.
From the creamy red of Campbell's soup to the pop of a fire engine, there were walking stop signs everywhere you looked in the Birdcage and in the public areas at Flemington on Tuesday.
It was a welcome contrast to the monochrome dress code of Derby day and the muted tones of Cup Days of recent times.
Leading the charge was face of Myer Jennifer Hawkins, on point in a Misha Collection jumpsuit that would have made going to the bathroom a minimum 10-minute task.
"I don't wear a lot of red, usually just lipstick," she said, before guessing the exact shade of lippy worn by this reporter.
But the best dressed at Myer – and maybe all day – was model, law student and the partner of swimmer James Magnussen, Rose McEvoy, in a one-shoulder dress by Preen.
"I wanted a bright, poppy colour for Cup Day. I love pink as well. I saw a beautiful girl in green – anything colourful," she said.
Over at Emirates, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and mining magnate Gina Rinehart arrived within minutes of one another, causing a media scrum for the ages.
Mrs Rinehart, looking a little mother of the bride in all white, mingled with Olympians including Mack Horton, and had a tete-a-tete with the FM, who was elegant as usual in Philip Treacy millinery and a Hugo Boss dress, with an Armani jacket tucked under one arm in case the weather turned ugly.
"I started my day with an interview on AM, then a run around the 'Tan, and then I got ready," she said.
"It's all part of the job. Being at the Cup is the most fantastic networking opportunity – everyone in Australia you want to see is there."
Emirates is always where Australia's heavyweights converge at the Cup, captured this year for social media by blogger Nadia Fairfax, who was dressed in Gucci and an Erikson Beamon headpiece.
"We're pretty lucky. Not everyone can be in here so we're showing the public what it's all about."
She said the men had really stepped it up this year, although she was looking for some excitement from the ladies after what she thought was a lacklustre Derby.
"The men look gorgeous, so dapper ... I am excited to see people today expressing a bit more individuality. No-one took any risks [at Derby day] – not that I am today either!"
Special guest of Emirates and the Victoria Racing Club, Elsa Pataky, said being dolled up for the races was a far cry from her usual get up as a resident of Byron Bay, where she lives with her husband, actor Chris Hemsworth, and their three children, India Rose, 4, and twin boys Tristan and Sasha, 2.
"It's such a fashion show ... I have always been into fashion, I used to love going to fashion shows. But when you have kids it's more difficult, your style changes. But for big events I like to dress up but this is something new for me."
She said for red carpet events she loves Armani and Elie Saab but for the Cup she wore a custom design by Brownlow favourite Sonia Cappellazzo
"In Byron Bay it's a lot more casual. I go barefoot everywhere, I'm away from the high heels, so they kill me now because I am not used to them anymore."
She said turning 40 was the start of the best time in her life.
"You are really mature, you have experience at life. Becoming a mum gives you another perspective on life and what's important ... I would never go back to my 20s because I feel like I know what I have to know to be confident, and to enjoy every moment."