Melbourne has the Cup but one of Australia's most remote towns has the undeniable reputation for holding one of the most unique race events in the country.
But the striking red dust as horses gallop towards the finish post at Birdsville is a far cry from the image in February when the town was an inland island due to floodwater travelling down the Diamantina River, which is a major river located in Central West Queensland and the far north of South Australia.
Birdsville, which sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert, usually has a population of 115 but that all changes come race day.
The town's population swells to 5000 as punters from across the nation descend on the outback for a jam-packed weekend of racing and unique entertainment including Fred Brophy's famous travelling boxing troupe.
The iconic race event has even lured Australian professional boxer Danny Green with some of his mates who were in the Brophy Boxing tent last night.
It is understood Green will not be fighting but will hang in the tent each night.
There will also be fashions on the field, yabby races and street parties at the event, which is part of Tourism and Events Queensland's Year of the Outback Tourism and is worth $800 million to the state's economy
- Photos by Salty Dingo