The Victoria Racing Club is expecting more than 100,000 patrons to arrive at Flemington Racecourse ahead of the Emirates Melbourne Cup at 3pm.

Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are due to arrive on course shortly and will take a tour down the straight, allowing racegoers to catch a glimpse of them.

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, will present the stunning $175,000 trophy to the winning owners after the running of the 152nd Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Cloudy skies and light rain early did nothing to deter more than 46,250 people who had arrived at Flemington by train at midday according to a Metro spokesperson.

The day’s racing started well with favourite Villa Verde taking out the 7News Plate, Kasane powering home in the TAB Trophy Handicap and Verdant winning the Lavazza Long Black.

The Bureau of Metrology predicts scattered showers will clear this afternoon in time for the highly anticipated Emirates Melbourne Cup.

At midday, 2010 winner Americain, defending champion Dunaden, 2011 second place getter Red Cadeaux and the lightly raced Mount Athos were sharing favouritism at $7 with The Tab.