Twilight Payment (far right) ridden by jockey Jye McNeil, leading during the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, Nov 3, 2020. (ANDY BROWNBILL / AP)

SYDNEY - Australia's iconic Melbourne Cup horse race went ahead on Tuesday despite being held in the city hit worst by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Twilight Payment claiming a seventh victory for owner Lloyd Williams.

Having found the lead early on, the 8-year-old horse and jockey Jye McNeil managed to hold on throughout the race and ploughed home in front of Tiger Moth in second and Prince Of Arran coming in third.

Crowds were banned from watching the race in person due to coronavirus restrictions, prompting groups to lawfully gather in parks, pubs and restaurants to enjoy the action.

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Jockey Jye McNeil, mounting Twilight Payment, celebrates after winning the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, Nov 3, 2020. (ANDY BROWNBILL / AP)

Last week, the city of Melbourne in Victoria state rolled back strict COVID-19 regulations, allowing hospitality venues to reopen and residents to leave their homes for reasons other than of an essential nature.

Locals took the sunny weather on Tuesday, which also marked a fourth straight day of no new virus infections recorded in the state, as an opportunity to celebrate both the race itself and the end of a difficult past few months spent in lockdown.

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The day was, however, marred by the fate of horse, Anthony Van Dyck, which had to be euthanized after suffering an injury during the race, fuelling allegations of animal cruelty levelled by some towards the event.

Empty stands are seen before the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, Nov 3, 2020. (ANDY BROWNBILL / AP)