Perth sure knows how to have fun at Ascot Racecourse and for two young lads, a sloppy grappling match was the most exciting part of their day.
It came more than five hours after punters gathered in the grandstands to watch the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup broadcasted on the big screen on Tuesday.
With police facing the other direction, two young men were seen wrestling each other on the grass adjacent to Ascot’s finishing line around 5.15pm.
As their mates burst into laughter the two men began the spectacle. One of the men was then left in a compromising position — stuck between his friend and the grass.
After pinning the other man to the ground for over 20 seconds, the pals embraced each other as they celebrated their impromptu exhibition barely reminiscent of an amateur MMA fight.
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Their sportsmanship was celebrated by their friends as they continued their post-fight drinks.
Although there was an abundance of toilets at the course, another man decided to urinate in the middle of a grassed area.
A woman — believed to be with the man — laughed from a distance as he tried to catch her attention in the middle of his toilet break.
As the race day moved into the afternoon, punters began to unwind and headed for the exits.
At least one man was seen being escorted out of Ascot by security while several others wandered around the car park intoxicated and sunburnt.
High heels had been removed and crowds then swarmed to a Hungry Jacks less than 500 away.
Tables were littered with half-empty champagne bottles as security encouraged the remaining punters to get a move on as things started getting messy.
The drinks were flowing and the horses were running throughout the day as thousands of punters swarmed Ascot Racecourse for the iconic race held at Flemington Racecourse.
Perth dressed to impress on Tuesday as enthusiasts flooded the grandstands at WA’s iconic course to watch the race that stops the nation live-streamed.
Before the race, with a drink ready to go, 20-year-old Capri King told The West her group was excited to party after recently finishing university.
“I think it’s a really good turnout to see the girls and the boys getting dressed up,” she said.
“It’s good to get out of the house after a rough winter and have some fun and get loose… We are just finishing uni so we are planning to get really loose.”
For Chelsea King, if she backed a winner, she promised to shout her friends a round of drinks.
“I’m hoping I win,” the 21-year-old said.
Clouds of vape smoke fogged the front entrance well before the iconic race kicked off as people made a last-ditch effort to finish their drinks they sneaked into their Ubers.
Among the crowd inside Ascot were Eagles players Oscar Allen, Jack Petruccelle, Jake Waterman and Noah Long, who were getting loved up by adoring — and mostly drunk — fans.
Petruccelle hilariously fell victim to an unexpected hug from two gents with luscious mullets.
“It’s always a great day at Ascot, the weather turned up for it so it’s been a great day,” the Eagles star said.
Champagne buckets and hot chips put people in the party mood at the course before everyone crowded to watch the live stream straight from Flemington just after midday.
The crowd roared — and groaned — as Without A Fight, ridden by jockey Mark Zahra, crossed the finish line for the 163rd rendition of the race.
Groups of men ensured their mullets were looking race-ready as they grasped tightly onto their stubbies during the race.
Screams of joy and hugs filled the grandstands as thousands watched the race from the other side of the country.
Double parked and having a blast on his first-ever Melbourne Cup, Survivor star Luke Toki told The West he was having a “good time” as he sipped on his white claws.
“I need to probably kick myself in the butt because I should have come here every year for the last 20 years,” he said.
“I said I wasn’t gonna drink but look what happened…. I’m just having a good time.”
Despite making any winnings on the Cup, Toki said the day meant more to him than just gambling.
“I always try to dump everything on one horse because it’s better to back one person than backing ten…. and unfortunately that didn’t work out for me today,” he said.
“But in saying that, this is probably the first time I don’t even care about losing because I’m having such a good day.”
Farmer Wants a Wife contestants Chelsea and Rachel Boothman were also among the eager punters at Ascot.
The sisters were seen partying with Toki and Married at First Sight contestant Jesse Burford throughout the day.
Party buses full of young people and taxis stormed the entrance throughout the day as staff miraculously managed to direct traffic efficiently.
A group of about 10 protestors stationed outside the car park failed to deter punters as they rushed straight to the bar once they made it past security.
Gemma Newland was among the excited crowd on Tuesday and was happily celebrating after she won $150 on the Melbourne Cup race.
The drinks are amazing, we’ve punched a couple of bottles,” she said.
Police were keeping a close eye on the crowd throughout the day as celebrations continued well into Tuesday.