Photos: Jimboomba punters turn out for Melbourne Cup at Veresdale Hotel

But it was a day which local publican Leon Mills welcomed nonetheless as his venue continued its COVID-19 recovery.

A slow start gave way to a good crowd just before race time at the V Hotel.

They watched jockey Jye McNeil guide Twilight Payment to win the Cup.

McNeil led from start to finish to upstage fancied import Tiger Moth. Prince of Arran rounded out the places.

It was Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien's second Cup win.

Surprise Baby, owned by a Redlands couple, finished 13^th.

Mr Mills said it was a good day for his pub as it continued to shake off the effects of the pandemic.

"It's slowly picking up again," he said.

Punters flocked into the town's other pub, the Jimboomba Tavern, from mid-morning for the big race.

Sad news followed the race, with top-weight Anthony van Dyck, an Irish import, euthanised after an injury during the race.

Jockey Hugh Bowman eased him up before the end of the race.

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