The Five: Auckland's best Melbourne Cup parties

Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo / Supplied

1. Ellerslie Races

The obvious place to soak up the atmosphere of Australia's biggest horse race in Auckland is Ellerslie. The race course will have two big screens on Sofitel Luxury Hotels Melbourne Cup Day to ensure everyone can watch the live simulcast coverage of the Emirates Melbourne Cup. Ellerslie CEO Cameron George will be on course to welcome VIPs though racegoers with General Admission tickets will have access to the Newmarket Room and the Newmarket Lawn. We reckon the best spot to watch the running of the race "that stops two nations" is on the Newmarket Lawn, right up the front along the fence line to the track for uninterrupted views of the big screen.

2. Ecoya Melbourne Cup Lunch

An "Invitation-only" lunch at Parnell's 46 & York will be packed full of A-listers. Their second annual Ecoya Melbourne Cup day will be held in conjunction with New Zealand Bloodstock. Guests include Bachelorette Chrystal Chenery, shoe queen Kathryn Wilson and husband Liam Taylor, Bachelor Art Green and girlfriend Matilda Rice, ONE News reporter Matt McLean, restaurateur Mimi Gilmour, fashion stylist Clifton Piper and fashion designer Steve Dunstan. They'll be able to test their luck on the horse racing from 2pm.

3. Soul Bar and Bistro

Soul's Melbourne Cup event is in its 15th year and is by far one of the best picks around town! Judith Tabron will be hosting the festivities with Soul full of its regular customers - always ready for a party. Juliette Hogan will be on hand for best dressed judging and guests will be treated to a four-course menu with a flute of Mumm Champagne on arrival. A TAB will be on site for the punting pleasure of all guests, plus games galore including tenpin bowling, giant Jenga and quizzes. Plus there will be wine options with wine writer Lauraine Jacobs and the highly anticipated Champagne Stiletto race.

4. Euro

Always a sell-out, hosted by Nourish Group executive chef Gareth Stewart, the Euro Melbourne Cup lunch at Princes Wharf is always filled with the well-heeled. Guests will include Matthew Ridge and Chloe Liggins, rich lister and neighbour of John Key, Mark Ching and fellow rich lister Annette Presley. The Euro lunch is legendary for its after-party. Designer DJs Steve Dunstan and Marc Moore will spin out tunes and guests will not only be able to enjoy the 'new look' Euro but the lunch and on-site TABs. The after-party will extend across Euro as well as the group's two newly opened establishments - Coley & Punch and The Culpeper.

5. The Sugar Club

Already a sell-out, The Sugar Club has flipped a lunch into a dinner. Guests will be able to watch the race live from the lofty heights of the Sky Tower. A cocktail hour from 4pm will lubricate guests for the big race, followed by a sumptuous four-course dinner. The Sugar Club is set to become a staple venue to enjoy Melbourne Cup festivities. Among the VIPs attending will be Colin Mathura-Jeffree who will have a busy day and night watching the Melbourne Cup from the top spot in town.

Win with Spy: Melbourne Cup at Ellerslie

Enjoy all the glamour of the Melbourne Cup at Ellerslie Racecourse, complete with race day fashion, world-class hospitality and top racing on show. Spy has six double passes to The Sofitel Luxury Hotels Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 3rd November 2015. Each double pass is valued at $120. To enter, head to our Facebook page and tell us who you're picking to win.