Melbourne Cup day comes to an end 1:59
Over refreshed revelers leave the track after the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington
Melbourne Cup 2016: Racegoers enjoy day at Flemington — some a little too much
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ALMOST 100,000 punters flocked through the gates at Flemington racecourse for the race that stopped a nation, but many will be nursing sore heads this morning after a long day of celebrations.
The photos tell the story — revellers sleeping off hangovers on the grass, piles of rubbish and plenty of flesh on show (usually with the high heels being carried or slung over the shoulder).
While some overseas news websites such as the Daily Mail, Deadspin and The Sun focused on chaos and trouble, Victoria Police said crowd behaviour at the Melbourne Cup was for the most part excellent.
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There were several minor scenes of violence, but a large police presence was positioned both inside and outside the racecourse with police clamping down quickly on any outbreaks of anti-social behaviour.
Police spokesman Thomas O’Byrne said there were just nine arrests — seven for being drunk, one in relation to an assault and one in relation to drug trafficking.
He said police and security staff evicted 78 people throughout the day.
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No doubt there were plenty of people looking worse for wear by day’s end.
This has been the focus of news sites globally today, portraying the Melbourne Cup as one big booze fest and very quick to rubbish our great event.
American sports website Deadpsin went so far to call our event ‘Decadent And Depraved’.
“There is a lot of booze,” they wrote.
“There is a lot of littering.
“There is a lot of smiling.
“There is, for whatever reason, a whole lot of falling/lying on the ground. All of these factors combined create opportunities for some marvelous photography.”
Police said the vast majority of patrons were - despite all the headlines and ‘colourful scenes’ - well behaved.
There were a few minor scuffles in late afternoon as tempers started to get frayed and some punters started to show signs of intoxication.
One man was left nursing a nasty head wound after allegedly being headbutted by an overzealous security guard.
Eyewitness Debbie Spink said it appeared the attack was unprovoked.
“He headbutted him, kneed him in the head and then spat on him when he was on the ground,” Ms Spink said.
“It was disgusting.”
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HEARTBREAK CITY’S IRISH CONNECTIONS PROMISE TO DRINK THEIR FILL
KATELYN MALLYON BEAMING DESPITE HER 19TH-PLACING RACE DEBUT
A spokesman for MSS Security said it was unaware of the incident but would investigate if a complaint was received.
Police declined to reveal how many officers were working today, but several hundred officers were understood to be in attendance.
Anyone found drunk in a public place risked being hit with an on-the-spot fine of $622 while anyone caught acting drunk and disorderly was fined $777.
The overcast weather and occasional showers were credited for putting a dampener on any exuberant celebrations.
As the day wore on, so did the high jinx as several punters showed signs of being the worse for wear.
This is spectacular. Some random outside Flemington trying to rip the microphone out of the Seven reporter's hand. #threesheetstothewind pic.twitter.com/c3BSM1KukN
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) November 1, 2016
One racegoer received a stern ticking off from security as he tried to run up a downward escalator in the main stand, complete with stubbie in hand.
The man was intercepted by security near the top of the escalator before he was made to turn around and return back down in the right direction.
“It’s just a bit of fun,” he said, to which the security guard replied: “Yes, it’s always a bit of fun until someone gets seriously hurt.”
Many women chose to ditch the heels and go barefoot after a long day on their feet.
Others chose to sleep off their hangovers on picnic rugs spread across the green lawns.
Police praised the behaviour of drivers on the road, saying the vast majority of motorists heeded the message not to drink and drive.
Booze buses were operating early with some motorists reported being breath testing in Brunswick at 8.40am.
MATT STEWART: TRUE BLUE ARMY KEEPS FOREIGN LEGION AT BAY
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WHERE THEY FINISHED, WHAT JOCKEYS SAID
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HEARTBREAK CITY’S IRISH CONNECTIONS PROMISE TO DRINK THEIR FILL