Royal Randwick will host the biggest Melbourne Cup Day event north of the Yarra River as it joins the nation on the first Tuesday of November to celebrate Australian racing’s greatest spectacle.

Up to 25,000 people are expected at Royal Randwick to enjoy live racing on a full nine-race card, with the promise of fine weather allowing racegoers the chance to spread across Royal Randwick’s spacious lawn areas throughout the day.

The running of the Melbourne Cup at 3pm – along with all Royal Randwick and Flemington races – will be broadcast live on the largest screen in the southern hemisphere from the Royal Randwick infield.

Royal Randwick’s exclusive Chairman’s Club, along with the Grandview Room for ATC Members on Level 1 of the grandstand, becomes Sydney’s biggest restaurant for the day, simultaneously serving more than 670 people a premium three course meal.

Across the racecourse about 3500 people will be served lunch in formal settings.

Patrons at Royal Randwick are also expected to get through more than 300kg of prawns and 500 dozen oysters, as well as more than 10,000 snack and large Vili’s pies, one tonne of hot chips and half a tonne of assorted salads.

About 10,000 hand-made mini desserts from Red’s Kitchen will be served, along with 5000 sandwiches.

A $5000 super sweep will be run on the day with punters given the chance to register at www.theraces.com.au to draw a runner in the Melbourne Cup.

Clinique Pamper Lounges with free makeup touch-ups for the ladies will be set up on the Octagonal Lawn and trackside.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said Melbourne Cup Day was a chance to celebrate racing in a social setting with workmates and friends.

“If you can’t be at Flemington, there is no better place to soak up all the atmosphere of Cup Day than Royal Randwick, with live racing on the track and all of the action broadcast from Melbourne,’’ Mr Pearce said.

“Cup Day is one of Australia’s greatest days and Royal Randwick will add to all the fun and glamour from Flemington.’’

Gates at Royal Randwick open from 9.30am with the first race from Flemington due to start at 10.30am and the first of nine races at Royal Randwick at 11.35am.

The last race at Royal Randwick will be run at 5.33pm.

Complimentary buses to Central Station leave from the Alison Rd bus stop at Royal Randwick every 15 minutes from 4pm to 7pm.

There is also a dedicated taxi rank from Ascot Street on the western side of the racecourse and free parking in the Royal Randwick infield.

Free high-capacity WiFi is also available across the racecourse precinct.