Otago Racing Club chief executive Hannah Catchpole said tickets had been selling "really well" and an estimated 5000 people were expected to attend if the sun was out.
A new layout at the racecourse would provide an intimate feel for racegoers, she said.
"I think people get swept up in the Melbourne Cup.
"You don’t have to know anything about racing because our patrons can get so close. You can see 12 horses thundering down the track and enjoy it."
Gates would open tomorrow at 11am and the first race was scheduled to start at 12.20pm.
A new ticketing system would ensure patrons get in and out of the racecourse quickly, Ms Catchpole said. Another innovation was an area for students with its own private bar.
Tickets to two of the six private areas had sold out and limited tickets remained for the others.
Fashions in the Fields would be judged by Dunedin stylist and fashion blogger Ben Boyne and Jo Creighton of the White Willow fashion boutique.
A Taieri Gorge train would transport three trainloads of people to the racecourse and two return trips would be made. The first train would leave the Dunedin Railway Station at 11.20am, Ms Catchpole said.
The MetService is forecasting high cloud with a few spots of rain and a high of 16degC.
