Everyone may have been seated but the excitement was as strong as ever in the Hunter for yesterday's Melbourne Cup.
There were plenty of cheers in Hotel Delany's bar area where a few lucky punters managed to pick Twilight Payment, who led from the front but was paying a fair price for the win.
Kye Sandland was one ecstatic spectator when he realised he not only put $25 on the winner, but also came away with a trifecta, having favourite Tiger Moth and Prince of Arran in the mix.
He didn't know exactly how much money he'd won immediately after the race, but estimated it was "a fair bit".
"I'm that happy," he said as he checked and double-checked his bets.
It was a familiar feeling for Mr Sandland, who studies the race form a bit, after he also picked the Cup winner two years ago.
He said he'd be celebrating his wins over a few drinks with friends, and agreed it would definitely be his shout.
"One hundred percent," he said.
Another lucky punter Katie Turner was just a few tables away, but her fortune wasn't as great.
"I put $3 on it," she said. "I chose it because I really like Harry Potter and Twilight books.
"I've won sweeps before but this is the first time I've picked the winner."
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Dressed in a fascinator and stylish outfit, Ms Turner said she ventured out to enjoy the Cup every year.
"I just enjoy the social aspect," she said.
While the hotel's fashions on the field competition was cancelled for this year due to the coronavirus, plenty of patrons still donned their finest garb to watch the race.
Aleena O'Neill was disappointed the fashion part of the event was called off as she was hoping for her fourth straight best dressed award at a Melbourne Cup party.
She had previously won best dressed competitions at Sydney's Quay, Cafe Sydney and Blackbird Cafe. Ms O'Neill has also been to Derby Day as well as the local races in Newcastle.
"I just love the fashion," she said. "I shopped for three months for my headpiece this year.
"I'm more about the fashion, but my boyfriend is an avid punter and he's been giving me tips. It's been a really good day."
There was plenty of fun had over at Queens Wharf Hotel as well, where patrons enjoyed fashion competitions and posing with Chester the horse statue,
"It's been an amazing day," licensee Steve Smyth said. "We've had no incidents. There's been a lot of police presence which is understandable.
"It's been fantastic, we've had a really lovely crowd."
