Thousands of punters frock up for Melbourne Cup festivities at Thoroughbred Park

Viviana Parish from Casey said it was a pleasant shock and surprise to be awarded the top prize alongside her mother Deb on a stage in front of the Acton Stand.

"I never really thought that I would take it out actually I thought my mum would win as she looked phenomenal today," she said.

Deb Parish from Bywong in NSW, who took out second prize and made the hats for herself and her daughter, said she would remember the moment with her daughter for years to come.

"It was a really special moment," she said. "It's nice that at any age you can stand up and present fashion so this is really lovely".

Deb said her costume took "lots of ideas and creativity and plenty of tears and hard work".

"I tend to chooks and ducks and horses and make hats when I'm not mowing lawns and doing other things," she said.

Emily Dibden, the face of Canberra Racing and one of four fashion judges for the event, had no idea the two winners were related and said they "nailed it".

"What we were really looking for was bright colours as that's what Melbourne Cup is all about."

This was a pleasant surprise for Viviana who picked up her Karen Millen dress at the Royal Ascot in England earlier this year.

"It was a hard one because what's really on trend at the moment are pastels and white so obviously they wanted something bold," she said.

Chris Rankin, who took out the best dressed male honours, was celebrating his eighth wedding anniversary with his wife Leonie who persuaded him to enter the competition.

"I got the jitters a little bit but I got there in the end and I can tick that off the bucket list," he said.

Chris' distinct trinity knot tie and neat three-piece proved too much for the eagle eyed judges who gave the couple another reason to celebrate the day.

"I wouldn't have done it unless my wife edged me into it," he said.

"But by the time you get to your eighth wedding anniversary the only answer I have is 'yes dear'."

The award winners joined thousands of punters who turned up in their finest for the Melbourne Cup festivities, with some displaying more sartorial sense than others.

Former Socceroo and football commentator Ned Zelic was seen grabbing an early prime spot outside the Members Bar, noticeably without a tie or jacket.

Plenty of Canberrans already getting in their bets with bookies as men in peaked caps and ties discuss form guides.

Jaye Forester from Narrabundah and Amy Hall from Fyshwick were two ladies who'd invested considerable time in their hats and attire, and were looking forward to an afternoon with their friends.

As per usual, there were a few ladies in bare feet by the end of the day with Ambulance officers handing out band-aids to those with blisters on their feet.

More to come.