Rotorua a sea of fascinators and top hats for the Melbourne Cup

It was a sea of fascinators and excitement at Ambrosia as crowds celebrated the Melbourne Cup. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua became a sea of bubbles and laughter as some of its best-dressed residents donned their top hats and fascinators for the Melbourne Cup today.

About 50 people left work early, making their way to Ambrosia restaurant to take part in the once-a-year event.

The Hits' Paul Hickey was there in his best suit to MC for the crowd.

Silence fell as the horses sped off, with many having already placed their bets or entered their workplace sweepstake, but the cheers erupted as they entered the final straight.

Johannes Vermeer and Rekindling broke away from the group in the final moments, with Rekindling crossing the line in a clear victory.

Image 1 of 6:

The team at Prosper Mortgage Brokers had heard about the event over the radio and decided to get dressed up and come along.

Traci-Lee Klinac said they had been looking for a nice place to go and celebrate the cup.

"We've all taken our own individual bets but we didn't make an office sweepstake.

"It's been an awesome evening, we'd like to thank Ambrosia and The Hits team for putting it on."

There was live music by Matt Barnard, a business card draw, a best dressed competition and lots of other games to keep the crowd entertained between races.

Klinac's co-worker Seiona McDonald said it had been an awesome day.

McDonald had already taken part in a hobby horse race around Eat Streat as part of the afternoon's fun.

"Everyone's got so dressed up and the atmosphere's been so good," she said.

As the crowd celebrated they were joined by Chinese Kwai (a social media app similar to Instagram) celebrity Eric Yang.

Yang said he had been in New Zealand to take his followers around some of the beautiful scenery and just happened to stumble upon the event.

He had 2000 of his followers with him as he livestreamed to his phone, taking selfies with lots of the well-dressed crowd.

The winners
1. Rekindling - Trainer: Joseph O'Brien, Jockey: Corey Brown
2. Johannes Vermeer - Trainer: Aidan O'Brien, Jockey: Ben Melham
3. Max Dynamite - Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Zac Purton

We are live at Ambrosia for the Melbourne Cup!

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Monday, 6 November 2017