Derby day 2023 LIVE updates: Big hat energy an early winner as ...

Stylist Lana Wilkinson is taking advantage of the new cut-out rule but says that even for a fashion identity as herself it has its limits.

“I wanted to be covered everywhere else,” she says.

Lana Wilkinson.Credit: Justin McManus

“No navels here, doll. If it looks like it should be swimwear, we shouldn’t wear it.”

Wilkinson, who also has an eponymous shoe brand, is wearing Melbourne red-carpet favourite Cappellazzo Couture with a Ferragamo bag and vintage Givenchy earrings.

A cute detail on her dress is the gold hardware is actually a pair of earrings that has been refashioned.

Now there’s some clever upcycling for you.

There’s a protest happening on the other side of Flemington Racecourse, which many attendees waiting to cross the road to enter the grounds respond with grimacing faces to.

Organised by the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, this group of seven or so protestors are holding signs high above their heads, which include the names of over 100 race horses that have died this year.

Protestors from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) show their displeasure at the racing industry outside Flemington Racetrack on Derby Day.Credit: Chris Hopkins

“If you want to gamble, do it in a sport where the participants are willing to do it,” a protestor demands into a microphone.

“If an AFL player was killed on the pitch every two days, do you think AFL would continue?”

One passer shouts out his car accusing the group’s director, Elio Celetto, of wearing leather shoes.

He yells back: “They’re plastic!”

Celetto reckons they’ve copped more abuse than usual for this time of day, but is still hopeful that track attendance, which across the spring racing carnival have been on the decline, will continue that trend.

Protestors from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) show their displeasure at the racing industry outside Flemington Racetrack.Credit: Chris Hopkins

All but one spot in the Melbourne Cup field has been locked away, after Valiant King was scratched late last night from the Cup.

That final spot will be determined in race two, the Archer Stakes, with Ladies Man, Athabascan, United Nations, Kalapour and Mostly Cloudy vying for the 24th spot.

They each sit 24th to 28th respectively, but the Archer offers a direct passage into the race.

Interpretation, winner of Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup, is now comfortably in the field at 23rd in the order of entry after Valiant King’s scratching.

Athabascan is favourite for today’s Archer Stakes.

With a traditional black-and-white dress code on Derby Day, it can sometimes be hard to stand out from the crowd.

Not so for Sky and Fox Sports presenter Holly Stearnes, whose hat, which she got from France, would have made catching the train a challenging task.

Stearnes is giving strong Riviera vibes in a Jacquemus dress and vintage beaded clutch.

One of the cutest looks we’ve seen so far this morning - but the day is still very young.

Holly Stearns at Victoria Derby Day.Credit: Justin McManus

Holly Stearns.Credit: Justin McManus

Media personality Christian Wilkins is among the first of the celebrity arrivals, and, true to form, isn’t afraid to make a fashion statement.

He’s wearing an emerging Melbourne designer, Vasilios, and says his look was inspired by Grace Jones, Kylie Minogue, designer Elsa Schiaparelli and Saint Laurent.

Christian Wilkins.Credit: Justin McManus

“He absolutely nailed it,” Wilkins says.

His number one fashion tip for a race day?

“I always like a shoe that you’ve worn before. I’ve made that mistake [wearing new shoes] before and it’s hell on earth.”

Wilkins will be on the judging panel for the emerging designer award at fashions on the field later today.

Chris Waller expects favourite Riff Rocket to appreciate the intensity and pressure of the $2 million Victoria Derby as the stable chases a third win in a decade in the famous race.

Master trainer Waller triumphed in the 2500m Group 1 contest with Preferment in 2014 and again with Manzoice last year.

Riff Rocket ridden by James McDonald wins the ABC Bullion Super Impose Stakes at Flemington earlier this month, a victory that helped confirm its status as a favourite for the VRC Derby.Credit: Getty

Riff Rocket claimed favouritism for Saturday’s renewal after an “effortless” victory in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) two starts ago, when he bolted away to win by five-and-a-half lengths.

But he was then beaten as a short-priced favourite in the Group 3 Norman Robinson (2000m) at Caulfield.

Waller believes the son of American Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner American Pharoah is primed to bounce back on his return to Flemington.

Riff Rocket will be ridden by gun jockey James McDonald.

“It was a little bit disheartening for him to get beaten last start but we’ve made excuses openly that there wasn’t the intensity or the pressure in the race,” Waller said.

“We will see that in a Derby. As they leave the barriers straight in front of the stands for the first lap, it’s a quick run to the first turn and that will create a bit of tempo.

“Then it’s all about conserving energy and finishing off strong. He’s very good at conserving energy.

“Then we’ve seen that he does have that turn of foot here at Flemington with a nice, long straight where they build from a long way home.”

AAP