Some grey skies in Launceston did little to stop the colour of the Melbourne Cup from coming through at various functions.
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Traditional luncheons were replaced with view of the action as the afternoon wore on, with punters crowding round screens to watch Cross Counter triumph in the main race.
On a rain-affected track and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for trainer Charlie Appleby, Cross Counter defeated Marmelo and A Prince Of Arran in an all-northern hemisphere finish.
It wouldn’t be Melbourne Cup Day in Launceston without the annual Clifford Craig luncheon at Drysdale Restaurant.
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Now in its 27th year, more than 130 guests gathered for the annual celebration, which included Fashions on the Field, a horse auction, and sweeps.
The event is organised through the Friends of Clifford Craig group, with all money raised going toward projects within the health organisation.
Clifford Craig events coordinator Rebecca Biggelaar said the luncheon had maintained strong ties to the community.
“We’ve always had it at Drysdale, because it is a great experience for the TasTAFE students to serve the guests,” she said.
“As a Northern Tasmanian organisation, we feel it is important to support the community where we can.
“The luncheon is also a really good example of the work done by Angela Medwin and the rest of the Friends of Clifford Craig fundraising group.”
The community spirit was similarly strong at the Newstead Hotel, where more than $2000 was raised for StGiles.
The hotel’s inaugural Melbourne Cup luncheon included spot prizes, giveaways, a mega raffle, Fashions on the Field, as well as a range of different entertainment throughout the day.
Hotel manager Jeanette Gleeson said she was “overwhelmed” by the community response to the event.
“Everybody has just been wonderful,” she said.
“The luncheon something I would like to hold every year, because it sends the right message about the sort of hotel we are trying to be,” she said.
“We want to be a local pub for locals, where charities can also come for support.”
While Melbourne Cup day is synonymous with celebration, Tasmania Police issued a warning ahead of the race for people to behave responsibly.
Mobile patrols and booze buses could be seen across the state, as police focused on drink and drug driving, speeding, inattention, failing to wear seatbelts and using mobile phones whilst driving.
As of Tuesday evening, Tasmania Police said there had been no incidents reported.