The first major race of the spring racing carnival drew an estimated 30,000-plus crowd, who, according to Victoria Police, behaved very well. By mid-afternoon, no arrests had been made and just a handful of people had been ejected for underage drinking.

The only hint of trouble occurred when Australian model and David Jones ambassador Montana Cox appeared to almost faint when she helped to present the prize for race seven. The brunette beauty appear to keel over and needed three people to help her off stage, where she has immediately placed in a chair to rest.

The crowds, which totalled more than 32,000, started to pour in at 11am even though the world's richest handicap race over 2400m wasn't due to kick-off until 5.40pm. A series of early morning train delays spoiled the party for some, with extra taxis taking race-goers straight to the tracks and to claim a prized spot on the lawn for a picnic.

Melbourne's typically unpredictable spring weather blessed the crowds with enough warm to justify the many sleeveless dresses and tops, but grey overcast clouds kept the real sunshine at bay.

Fashion was the real star, with plenty of pastel colours, lace and bright digital prints being popular choices. Chunky heels and metal headwear were also seen many times among the crowd.

Among the serious fashion-goers were those who visited a costume shop before placing their bets. There were three Where's Wallys, two fairies and a gangster-wannabe, who did not look like he was packing heat.

While the famous and infamous dined on bite-sized canape in marquees overlooking the track, the public took to the food stalls dotted throughout the course in droves. Food trucks to added to bring a hipster-vibe but the good ol' fashioned pies and hot chips did a roaring trade. So too did the booze stalls, but that is to be expected. It is the races, after all.

There is a heavy police presence throughout the racecourse following the Abbott Goverment's upgrading of the nation's terrorist threat. All major events are now required to increase security.

The race had been plagued with a so-called curse after Japanese raider Bande was scratched after failing a vet examination on Friday morning. Dandino and Gris Caro were pulled out earlier in the week due to lameness.

Those that placed a bet on the winners were able to share in the spoil of one of the richest days of the Australian racing calender. For those who didn't, it probably doesn't matter. There was a party to enjoy.

Following the final race, Caulfield race course ripped up the turf - literally - by inviting race-goers to jump over the barriers and party on the grass with DJ Havana Brown providing entertainment.