Everything appears to be running to plan here in Melbourne – the sun is out and the fascinated hordes are making their annual equine pilgrimage.

As is often the case during the Melbourne Cup, if you’re not attending, Melbourne can feel a little empty. The public holiday – for a horse race, of all things – prompts many Melburnians to take the Monday off as well and flee to the coast for an elongated weekend.

As a result, every other person spotted around central Melbourne at the moment is in full race wear. It’s a bit like walking around the set of Bugsy Malone, with the odd splash of vibrant colour.

Metro has stepped up, with trains running every five minutes or so from Flinders Street. Meanwhile, the mobile phone companies have promised to eliminate the notorious Flemington call-jam by installing new infrastructure for the race. I could’ve done with such help at the Derby on Saturday as I desperately attempted to send a picture of Alf from Home and Away, who was also in attendance, to friends.