Our Fair Lady is a Derby Day hit

VIP to the stars Melissa Hoyer chats with Nicole Kidman, Danielle Spencer and Kris Smith and talks fashion and fillies at this years Derby Day races.

Nicole Kidman attends the Swisse marquee on Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

LOOKING as if she'd stepped off the set of My Fair Lady, Nicole Kidman brought a touch of Hollywood to Derby Day at Flemington yesterday.

Flying in from France for a whistle-stop tour of less than 48 hours, the Oscar winner opted for a white lace dress designed by L'Wren Scott matched with a hat from milliner Stephen Jones, channelling Audrey Hepburn in the 1964 classic film.

"It is such a fun film and it is a fun day and we just wanted to have some fun," Kidman said, adding: "It's one of my favourite movies. We decided to do something that was fun and a bit different."

Kidman's appearance at the races was a flying visit before she flew out yesterday afternoon back to the French set of Grace Of Monaco, in which she plays Grace Kelly.

Despite the long-haul flight, Kidman, 45, looked fresh as she strode through the Birdcage with parents Anthony and Janelle Kidman.

Kidman might have turned heads in the VIP area, but the real trackside star was the Sydney trained three-year-old gelding Fiveandahalfstar who won the $1.5 million AAMI Victoria Derby, beating home Super Cool and Rawnaq.

Kidman admitted she loves a flutter, but wasn't telling if she backed the 20/1 long-shot.

While Kidman enjoyed a majestic day out, husband Keith Urban was at home in the US with the couple's young daughters, four-year-old Sunday Rose and 23-month-old Faith Margaret.

"I brought my mum and dad. I wish I could have brought Keith but he w! as at the Country Music Awards last night and taking our kids trick or treating, " she said. "The Melbourne Cup is something I have always bet on since I was a legal age."

Perfect Melbourne weather drew a sell-out crowd of about 120,000 people for Derby Day, ahead of Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. A parade of celebrities, including Jennifer Hawkins and Lara Bingle flocked to the Birdcage to make the most of the lavish hospitality on offer.

The Chris Waller camp was celebrating Kelinni's victory in the Lexus Stakes, which earned the five-year-old gelding a place in the Melbourne Cup field, carrying 51kg.