Brisbane punters soak up the Cup day sun

A fine and hot spring day has enticed thousands of Brisbane people to attend Melbourne Cup parties across the city.

Social events ranged from lavish entertainment at five-star hotels to beer and pie parties at suburban venues.

The major event was at Doomben racecourse where close to 15,000 people took advantage of extra marquees and entertainment areas.

Brisbane Race Club marketing manager Matt Rafton said the crowd had got through 5000 bottles of champagne, 500kg of fresh prawns and 30,000 canapes.

"The crowd seemed to come out early with the warm, fine weather," Rafton said.

One Gold Coast punter was especially happy after investing $12 on a mystery first four at a Queensland TAB agency at Labrador and winning more than $100,000.

The Cup winner Prince Of Penzance wasn't forgotten with another Queenslander putting $200 on the horse at $126 in the final minutes of betting, forcing his price into $91 on the Queensland totalisator.