Crowds gathered bright and early outside the gates of Flemington Racecourse for the 2023 Melbourne Cup, in scenes reminiscent of the Boxing Day sales.

They are among the tens of thousands of spectators expected to flock to Flemington today to watch the 163rd running of the $8 million dollar Melbourne Cup.

Jeremy De Souza was in line early to beat the long queues outside the racecourse gates and secure a coveted shaded spot in the new grandstands.

“Got here about 6:30am, so two hours before to stand here and ready for the run in a couple minutes time,” he said.

“It’s very much like the horses going out of the gates here today.”

Laura Minahan brought a change of clothes in preparation for the mad dash for the members bar.

“This is the race before the race, so got the flats on with the heels in the bag and a different hat,” Ms Minahan said.

“So hopefully fingers crossed, we get somewhere inside.”

Brett Adams and Mark Secombe embarked on a road trip down from Queensland to back Cup favourite Gold Trip.

Their gold jackets were showing their support for the 7-year-old stallion, but there was some concern they might be a little too eye-catching.

“I’ve got to stay out of view of the horses, it might put them off,” Mr Adams said.

Sisters Michelle Rodgers and Denise Taylor travelled from Western Australia to attend, and were hoping to see Damien Oliver win in his last ride.

Paul Friend travelled from Dunedoo in New South Wales to attend this year’s Cup, and said he had been attending, on and off, for 25 years.

He said he was willing to step in for the real jockeys if it was an emergency.

“If there’s a scratching and one of the top jockeys can’t make it, I’m on standby just near the mounting yards, so come on down and I’ll throw the leg over,” he said.

“The horse will still be coming before the next race starts.”

The weather is expected to be warm with an expected maximum of 29C, which will be good news for the more casual spectators, who are allowed to wear tailored shorts to the event for the first time ever.

However, there is a high chance of rain, with the Bureau of Meteorology saying showers are most likely to start in the afternoon and evening.

The Melbourne Cup coincides with legal reforms that come into effect today to decriminalise public drunkenness in Victoria.

The government has set up a sobering centre in Collingwood with 20 beds for emergency services to place people who require a place to sober up.