Glamorous race-goers get into the spirit of Derby Day as celebrations for the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kick-off in style

Thousands of revellers have hit the ground running as Derby Day celebrations kick off in Melbourne. 

Glamorous attendees were dressed to the nines as the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival got underway on Saturday ahead of the race thats stops a nation on Tuesday. 

Men and women of all ages were pictured arriving at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday with many adhering to the events traditional black and white dress code. 

Australias Olympic and Paralympic heroes will be VIPS in the prestigious birdcage with Michelle Payne, Ariarne Titmus and Jamie Kah officially launching the kick-off event. 

Channel Nine star Francesca Cumani turned heads in an off-the-shoulder A-line dress which gave her a beautifully classic silhouette as she lead celebrity arrivals. 

Derby Days history begins across the pond more than two centuries ago in 1787 when the Earl of Derbys horse won the race while wearing black and white colours.

In 1910, King Edward died and in true Edwardian fashion racegoers swapped out their best clothes for black, the colour traditionally associated with mourning.

Well-dressed revellers flooded Flemington Racecourse on Saturday for the kick-off event

Attendees adhered to the black and white theme for Derby Day - a tradition since more than two centuries ago in 1787 

Melbourne was blessed white blue skies on Saturday as race-goers descended on Flemington Racecourse

Yin and yang! These glamorous revellers appeared to have coordinated their outfits for the day

Other revellers worse elaborate hats and textured gowns for the prestigious event

Picture perfect! This woman made sure to fix her shoe before celebrations kicked off

These eager revellers posed for a group photo before celebrations kicked off

Many eager arrivals were seen bursting through the gates at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday

This group of well-dressed arrivals made sure to snap a group selfie on the day

This elegant race-goer wore a stunning A-line skirt with a large hat