Derby Day live updates: Star stables dominate early as rain lingers at Flemington

Brilliant edition of the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes and it’s Ndola who holds on in a gritty finish ahead of a fast-finishing Sweynesday.

Ndola clung on in the final furlong with Jye McNeil on board and gave the Hayes stable their second winner of the day, going level with Chris Waller.

The winner paid a juicy $11 with bookies.

Meridius finished in third place in the 1200m sprint.

It’s been a brilliant start for champion trainer Chris Waller.

After finishing one-two in the Carbine Club Stakes to open the day, De Armas scores a breakthrough win in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes.

The talented three-year-old filly has shown some good signs across the spring without finding a victory, but this was a dominant display, rumbling over the top with Blake Shinn on board as the $3.50 favourite.

Girl With A Pearl finished second, with Icelady in third over the 2000m trip.

Every race day has its own guest of honour and supermodel and Helena Christensen appears to be that special someone this Derby Day.

The 57-year-old former Victoria’s Secret Angel has arrived in a classic black and white tweed frock with a chic off-the-shoulder neckline.

She paired her wide-brimmed black hat with a pair of black patent leather pumps and minimal jewellery.

The star of the show was her ruby pout, proving a red lip really is timeless.

Regal Ambition comes from the back of the field, storms down the outside and gobbles them up to win the Group 3 Vanity.

The pre-race favourite was given a brilliant steer by jockey Michael Dee, who hit the go-button at the perfect time and launched the winner home.

Beautiful You ran second with Affari finishing third.

The weather forecast may be rain, but the fashion is hot, hot, hot!

Derby Day has officially kicked off in Melbourne, and a collection of Australia’s most talked-about stars have arrived in outfits we can’t stop talking about.

As always, the dress code is black and white. And this year is all about structure and fine tailoring.

CLICK HERE FOR NINE.COM.AU’S FASHION COVERAGE

There are whispers Aussie golden couple Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding will be making their debut as a married couple at Flemington today.

The newlyweds, who tied the knot in New York earlier this month, are scheduled to attend the lavish Crown marquee along with other famous guests like Rebecca Judd, Pip Edwards and Sam Armytage.

Lee and Harding said “I do” in Manhattan on October 13 surrounded by their closest friends and family, then honeymooned at the luxury eco-resort Cuixmala in Mexico.

Now it sounds like they’re back on Aussie soil and ready to hit up Derby Day.

Pre-race favourite Unhinged has been run down in the dying stages of the Channel 9 Carbine Club Stakes by the winner, The Roaring Sun.

Chris Waller had the winner, as well as the James McDonald-ridden favourite, giving the champion trainer some early success.

The winner paid $6.50 with bookies.

The rain is starting to clear and it’s almost time for the first race of the day at Flemington, kick-starting another massive Melbourne Cup Carnival.

James McDonald will look to get his Cup week underway and saddles up $2.70 favourite Unhinged in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes over a mile.

It looks a pretty open race other than the favourite, with the likes of High Falls ($4.80) and Conquer The World ($6) firmly in the mix.

Celebrities are starting to filter into the exclusive Birdcage enclosure for Derby Day despite the wet weather in Melbourne.

AFL star Josh Daicos and his model fiancee Annalise Dalins were among the first to arrive.

The pair have been engaged for two years and are set to tie the knot next month, so Dalins channelled bridal beauty in a white mini dress and matching hat.

Meanwhile, supermodel Helena Christensen cracked out the umbrellas for her arrival to avoid getting her outfit wet.

The former Victoria’s Secret Angel was spotted heading into the Birdcage with an entourage of handlers holding huge black umbrellas over her head.