Lachie Neale’s former wife, Jules Neale, made a striking appearance at Flemington on Tuesday after her ex-husband showcased his new relationship with Emma Field at Derby Day.
The influencer commanded attention at the Melbourne Cup in a dramatic red gown that immediately earned comparisons to a classic revenge dress.
Jules looked sensational in a cherry-red By Johnny gown, complete with eye-catching feather trim, matching opera gloves and a padded headband.
She finished the bold race-day ensemble with pointed red heels and delicate gold jewellery, including a necklace bearing the initial J.
Speaking to Daily Mail at the event, Jules said she was ready to remove the last visible reminder of her former marriage by covering up an initial tattoo.
Asked whether she intended to add more ink after recently getting a rose tattoo, Jules confirmed she had already booked two appointments.
‘I am, I’m booked in for two more. Little ones, so we’re not going crazy. A couple of friendship ones and maybe a cover-up job,’ she said, offering a knowing glance.
Jules Neale stole the spotlight at Flemington on Tuesday in a dramatic red gown widely likened to a revenge dress
She added a red top-handle bag and layered diamond tennis bracelets over her gloves
Red pointed heels and refined gold jewellery, including her J necklace, completed the look
‘I have an initial on my hand that needs to be changed,’ she later explained, referring to the L tattoo on her right hand, which she has recently tried to remove with laser treatment.
Jules was among a host of celebrities who attracted attention with their Melbourne Cup fashion choices.
Football WAG Bec Judd made a memorable entrance in an unconventional striped midaxi dress featuring sheer panels and a strapless neckline.
She took the playful styling even further with transparent pointed pumps, a heart-shaped handbag and an oversized bow cascading from her hair.
Designer Pip Edwards embraced a bold, high-fashion aesthetic in a turquoise outfit topped with an oversized hat reminiscent of one of Boy George’s signature looks.
Created by milliner Embellish Atelier, the statement hat was finished with a row of large crystals encircling its base.
The former P.E. Nation designer paired it with a distinctive peplum top and matching turquoise capri pants.
She was later seen dancing with American star Jamie Foxx.
As a guest in the G.H. Mumm marquee, Jules had the honour of performing the celebratory bottle ‘Tap Tap’ for the French Champagne brand
The blonde completed the traditional celebration perfectly
Bec Judd caught attention in an unusual striped midaxi dress with sheer panels and a strapless neckline
Bec posed alongside her husband, Chris
Pip Edwards embraced a high-fashion race-day look, including an oversized turquoise hat with echoes of Boy George’s iconic style
Embellish Atelier’s hat was decorated with a line of large crystals around the base
Pip was later spotted dancing with Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx
Jamie brought plenty of sparkle to the event in a glittering gold blazer with navy lapels, black trousers and a matching shirt
Kate Waterhouse arrived at Flemington in a plunging maroon Steven Khalil gown and coordinated hatinator
The influencer added quirky white gloves and maroon stilettos to her outfit
Julie Bishop chose a floral A-line button-down dress for her race-day appearance
The Block’s Darren Palmer wore a maroon suit styled with an elegant pink shirt and tie
Jamie Foxx matched the occasion’s glamour in a shimmering gold blazer with navy lapels, worn over black trousers and a coordinating shirt.
He completed the look with sunglasses, bringing a distinctly Hollywood touch to Australia’s biggest race day.
Kate Waterhouse made her entrance in a plunging maroon Steven Khalil gown and a matching hatinator.
The influencer accessorised with quirky white gloves and maroon stilettos.
Julie Bishop opted for a floral race-day look, wearing an A-line button-front dress covered in a vibrant flower print.
The former Australian politician, frequently dubbed the Minister for Fashion, completed the outfit with a matching 1950s-style Lady Dior handbag and a straw boater hat.
The Block judge Darren Palmer selected a maroon suit with a polished pink shirt and matching tie.
AFL WAG Jessie Murphy chose an elegant cream off-the-shoulder gown with a distinctive lantern-shaped skirt.
Jessie Murphy attended in a sophisticated cream off-the-shoulder gown featuring a lantern skirt
Lana Wilkinson embraced animal print in a plunging A-line halterneck dress with a matching fascinator
Mia Fevola made a daring style statement in a red beaded mini dress
Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson showcased a vivid pink-and-purple bodycon gown on Instagram before heading to Flemington
The bronzed beauty paired the cream-toned accessories with a matching headpiece and a compact drawstring tote.
Shoe designer and socialite Lana Wilkinson leaned into the animal-print trend with a plunging A-line halterneck dress and coordinating fascinator.
Mia Fevola, the socialite daughter of Brendan Fevola, took a fashion risk in a red mini dress covered in beading.
Married At First Sight personality Jules Robinson also embraced the occasion, sharing images of her bright pink-and-purple bodycon gown on Instagram before arriving at Flemington.
The reality star added a pink hatinator, sunglasses, gold earrings and a tangerine handbag.
Former MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong made a bold statement in a peach neoprene Maticevski gown with dramatic side cut-outs.
A vivid red lip brought an extra flash of colour, while a white bow hair accessory replaced the traditional race-day fascinator.
A Current Affair presenter Allison Langdon chose a more understated look, wearing a draped forest-green silk gown with a matching headband.
Melissa Leong wore a peach neoprene Maticevski gown for the Melbourne Cup
The gown’s low-cut armholes offered a dramatic glimpse of side cleavage
Allison Langdon exuded sophistication in a draped forest-green silk gown and matching headband
Chelsea Becirevic highlighted her cleavage and toned legs in a long-sleeved mini dress with a matching brown pillbox hat
Emma Freedman channelled vintage glamour in a coordinated leopard-print jacket and midi skirt
Chelsea Becirevic, who has been dubbed Australia’s hottest WAG by fans, chose a head-to-toe brown ensemble.
Her long-sleeved mini dress drew attention to her cleavage and legs, while a matching brown pillbox hat completed the outfit.
Former tennis WAG Hannah Dal Sasso turned heads in a revealing pale pink gown styled with maroon gloves and a pillbox hat.
Racing personality Emma Freedman also embraced a retro-inspired aesthetic in a matching leopard-print jacket and midi skirt.
She completed the look with a black pillbox hat, red lipstick and black pointed pumps.
The former partner of Thanasi Kokkinakis showcased plenty of skin through the outfit’s deep cut-outs at both sides.
AFL great Joel Selwood and his wife Britt looked polished as they posed arm-in-arm for photographers.
Britt wore a glamorous low-cut crimson gown, while Joel opted for a sharp black suit and striped tie.
Hannah Dal Sasso made an impression in a daring pale pink gown, maroon gloves and a pillbox hat
Large side cut-outs made the former partner of Thanasi Kokkinakis’ look especially daring
Joel Selwood and his wife Britt posed together at Flemington
Stella Klim chose a butter-yellow drop-waist gown with matching pointed pumps
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey and wife Aisha Jade Mckinnon coordinated in complementary checks, with Jordan wearing a grey windowpane suit and Aisha choosing a brown Prince of Wales check mini dress
Stella Klim also dressed for the occasion in a butter-yellow drop-waist gown, paired with matching yellow pointed pumps.
The $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most historic racing event, was set to run for the 166th time as the nation turned its attention to Flemington Racecourse.
Held every year since 1861, the Melbourne Cup remains known as the race that stops a nation, drawing huge interest both on the track and across the fashion and social scenes.
Excitement ahead of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy presentation was expected to build further with a special performance from global music star Robbie Williams.
The show was billed as the biggest pre-Cup performance ever staged at Flemington, with Williams set to perform a selection of his biggest hits alongside a full team of backup dancers.
The famous Birdcage hosted a long list of familiar faces, including Lexus ambassadors and racing figures Emma Freedman and Kate Waterhouse at Lexus, as well as Olympians Peter Bol, Harry Garside and Cooper Woods at Crown.
Premiership players Hugh McCluggage and Connor McKenna were scheduled to celebrate at TAB, while media personality Scott Cam and Olympian Ariarne Titmus attended Nine. Former Carlton star Marc Murphy and his wife Jessie were guests of G.H. Mumm.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field competition, presented by Lexus, returned to Flemington’s iconic front lawn with a new pavilion. Racegoers could register for the Best Dressed and Best Suited categories.
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher was preparing a record seven runners, including race favourite Point of Law, who earned a place in the field after winning the Geelong Cup.
Another Maher-trained horse, Shockletz, secured her spot with victory in the Lexus Archer Stakes.
Ireland remained a significant presence in the race, with dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien returning with one of the leading international contenders, last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes.
James McDonald was booked to ride Trustyourinstinct for O’Brien and arrived in strong form after recording four wins on Howden Victoria Derby Day, including victories in the Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby and Group 1 TAB Empire Rose.
McDonald previously won the Lexus Melbourne Cup in 2021 aboard Verry Elleegant, trained by Chris Waller.
The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner, Knight’s Choice, was also returning to Flemington for trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons, with Robbie Dolan in the saddle and a chance to join the select group of multiple Melbourne Cup winners.
