The family of late "Cups King" Bart Cummings held pride of place in a horse-drawn carriage when the annual Melbourne Cup parade made its way through the CBD.
It's the first Melbourne Cup since the legendary trainer passed away, and the traditional parade featured Cummings' 12 Cup trophies as well as his racing colours.
Cummings' son Anthony and grandson James, both trainers, took part in the parade, as well as grandson Edward, a stable foreman.
"It's a great race and it continues to be," said Anthony Cummings.
"It's easy to see why the old man had such a love for it and such a great drive to keep winning it."
Jockeys and trainers of this year's Melbourne Cup runners were also taking part in the event, alongside living legends of the equine variety including Might And Power, Brew, Rogan Josh, Paris Lane, Efficient and Maluckyday.
The Victoria Racing Club expected tens of thousands of people to line the parade route, from the Bourke Street Mall along Swanston Street to Federation Square.
In a further tribute to the "Cups King", children dressed in the colours of each of Bart's Melbourne Cup winners carried his trophies.
Jockeys and trainers with horses in Tuesday's race were also caught up in the buzz of the day.
Kerrin McEvoy, who will ride his 13th Melbourne Cup atop Gai Waterhouse's Excess Knowledge, was accompanied through the streets by his children.
"It's always a big build up and it is fantastic to be a part of it," McEvoy said.
"This is their first year (for his kids) actually, obviously it's a good eye-opener for them too."
The Victoria Racing Club hoped for tens of thousands of people to line the parade route, from the Bourke Street Mall along Swanston Street to Federation Square but the rainy weather reduced the number to thousands.
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