Western Australian jockey Mark Zahra has steered home a “dicey” Gold Trip to win his first Melbourne Cup on a $21 outsider as thousands of punters flocked to Flemington for the first time in three years.

Here are some of the best images from the race that stops the nation.

Zahra’s let his emotions take over after receiving the famous trophy, describing the “elation” he felt in the final metres.

“I can’t [put this into words]. I feel like crying. It’s unbelievable. What a day,” he said.

“He’s a horse that when you go, you don’t give him a chance to think about it. I was hoping no-one would come near me.

“It’s just elation when I crossed the line.”