Girl power! Rachel Griffiths cuts a refined figure at the Melbourne Cup Carnival Launch ahead of shooting for Ride Like A Girl

By Hannah Moore For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:57 EST, 24 October 2016 | Updated: 08:22 EST, 24 October 2016

The Australian actress will be trying her hand at directing next year.

And Rachel Griffiths is already hard at work sussing out her filming locations, with the film centred around Michelle Payne's historic Melbourne Cup win last year. 

The 47-year-old turned heads in a navy blue dress as she posed with the Cup during the Melbourne Cup Carnival Launch at Flemington Racecourse on Monday. 

Standing proud: Rachel Griffiths looked stoic as she posed with the Melbourne Cup on Monday just weeks ahead of filming for her new movie Ride Like A Girl

The Hacksaw Ridge actress looked demure in her fitted deep blue frock, which featured a collar detail neckline.   

Her blonde locks were styled to a windswept look and she chose to accentuate her natural beauty with a light application of makeup.  

Rachel decided to keep her look casual, and did not wear accessories or a fascinator for the Cup Launch.

Proud as punch! The actress and director posed with Emirates staff and Myer ambassador Rachael Finch

The Muriel's Wedding star will collect footage from this year's Melbourne Cup for her upcoming film, Ride Like A Girl.

Based around Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, the film will be directed by Rachel and written by Andrew Knight and Elise McCredie.

The esteemed actress and now director posed alongside Myer ambassador Rachael Finch and Emirates staff. 

Keeping it clean: The 47-year-old wore a white glove to keep her fingerprints off the prestigious racing trophy

Also in attendance was former Big Brother contestant and blogger Tully Smyth.

The 29-year-old looked youthful in a white lace dress which flared delicately at the hem.

She wore a full face of makeup and drew attention to her pearly whites with a statement red lip. 

The reality tv contestant posed for a photo with a muscular horse which appeared to have balloons for a head. 

She was later seen laughing with friends, who were dressed in patterned blue frocks for the big event. 

Horsing around: Former Big Brother contestant Tully Smyth looked demure in lace as she posed with a horse statue at Friday's launch

Having a laugh: The 29-year-old spemt time with friends as she celebrated the beginning of the Melbourne Cup Carnival

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