With the fascinators fastened, suits donned and protesters watched on by police at Flemington Racecourse, there's no surer sign a sense of normality is returning in Melbourne.
Ten thousand fully-vaccinated punters descended on Tuesday's Melbourne Cup as the mercury pushed 30 degrees and the state's COVID-19 figures dropped below 1000 daily cases.
At least five protesters sat handcuffed at the racecourse entry in the morning.
"Would you wear that suit to the slaughterhouse, sir?" one protester armed with a megaphone asked racegoers on arrival.
But that did not deter Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula declaring the $8 million race would be special occasion for Melbourne, which recently became the world's most locked down city.
"Victorians worked so hard for so long to get the vaccination numbers up," Mr Pakula told reporters.
"Victorians have earned this. It's a majestic, glorious Melbourne Cup day and it means more to the city than it has for a long, long time."
Before the race was run and won, Mr Pakula picked out Gai Waterhouse-trained Sir Lucan as an enticing roughie.
But the state minister for tourism, sport and major events said short-priced favourite Incentivise was hard to go past.
The race marked the culmination of six months of preparation, Victoria Racing Club president Neil Wilson said.
"We're really enjoying the spirit that's on course right - people walking round the course with joy on their faces," Mr Wilson said.
"It's a big day for Australia - every second adult watches or listens to the race."
Melbourne woman Sharni Taylor said she felt safe attending the Melbourne Cup with her partner Hayden due to the high vaccination coverage in Victoria.
"I feel confident they've got safe practices here," the 27-year-old told AAP.
"We're vaccinated and everyone else here is too.
"I'm getting used to being around people again. It's still a bit weird but we snap back into things pretty quickly."
Another Melbourne local, 49-year-old Richard McGann, had similar feelings.
"Finally opening up is fantastic," Mr McGann said.
"This is beautiful ... a bit weird, but it feels safe."
