Melbourne Cup Day celebrations

Last Tuesday's Melbourne Cup saw many celebrations at restaurants around the city. Chris Lucas, owner of Thai restaurant Chin Chin, says that he was told on Cup Day by his friend, real estate agent Jack Bongiorno, who is a co-owner of the winning horse Fiorente, that the decision to buy the thoroughbred was made two years ago in the Flinders Lane eatery.

On Tuesday night some of Fiorente's owners, including Bongiorno, brought the Cup into Chin Chin and held it high to the crowd. "We played We are the Champions and the entire restaurant gave the owners and the cup a standing ovation," says Lucas.

Fiorente's trainer, Gai Waterhouse, and her family celebrated at CBD restaurant The French Brasserie and the party was joined by winning jockey Damien Oliver.