The race that stops a nation stopped Glenelg too. On Tuesday 3 November 2026, Coast at the Glenelg Pier Hotel hosted its Melbourne Cup Luncheon: a packed room of fascinators, bubbles and sweep tickets, all with the beach and the jetty just outside the window. I was there to capture the whole afternoon, from the room before doors opened to the moment the field crossed the line.
Setting the scene
Before guests arrived I photographed the details the Coast team had worked hard on: white linen, orange florals, menus at every place and Bollinger on ice. These shots do double duty for a venue. They show off this event, and they help sell the next one when the function packages go out.
Food, oysters and a little punt
Lunch kicked off with grazing plates coming off the pass and a fresh oyster shucking station by the window. On every table sat the 2026 Cup sweep and a form guide, and the colourful jockey silks made for one of my favourite detail shots of the day.
Fashions on the field
No Cup lunch is complete without the fashion. Guests lined up at the Melbourne Cup backdrop in their best race-day outfits, and out on the deck I grabbed a few portraits with Glenelg beach and the jetty behind. And the room's biggest personalities made sure every table was in on the fun.
Race time
When the race was called, the room turned to the screens, and for a few minutes nobody was eating. When the winner crossed the line the place erupted: arms in the air, glasses clinking. Those are the moments a venue wants from an event like this, the proof that their room is where the fun happens.
Hosting a Melbourne Cup lunch or race-day event?
I photograph Cup luncheons, function packages and venue events across Adelaide, covering the setup, food, fashion and big moments so you have content for next year's promotion. Photos back within 48 hours.
Get a quote See more events