A breathtaking run saw Almandin take out the 2016 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. 

WHAT A RACE
1.Almandin
2. Heartbreak City
3. Hartnell.
Full #MelbourneCup results: https://t.co/nnEU3wrG49 pic.twitter.com/1mJUzTzec3

— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) November 1, 2016

The number 17 won by a small margin over Heartbreak City in second and Hartnell in a far third.

FASHIONS ON THE FIELD: View all the latest trends in the fashion stakes from Tuesday's race meet.

Almandin's owner Lloyd Willliams is now $3.6 million dollars richer after watching their horse run first past the post. 

Almandin has won the 2016 Melbourne Cup #MelbourneCup #7News pic.twitter.com/Inx76fdczd

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) November 1, 2016

Some of the big favourites included Australian-bred Jameka, and Godolphin's Hartnell and Oceanographer - although the 2015 win from roughie Prince of Penzance prompted punters to stray away from some of the 'safer' options. 

One race to go before the running of the 2016 #EmiratesMelbourneCup. pic.twitter.com/OEcyLtMtxh

— FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) November 1, 2016

More than 100,000 people witnessed the race firsthand at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. 

The $6.2 million race is the richest handicap in the world and the biggest prize pool in Australian sport. 

Tuesday's race marks the 156th time the race has been run. 

Off the track it was all about dresses in reds and pastel tones - and bell sleeves were a must on the girls.