Buddy Franklin and Kate Upton cause a stir

Antonia Acott
Nov 05, 2013, updated Nov 06, 2013

The Melbourne Cup may be the race that stops a nation, but nothing could remove Lance “Buddy” Franklin from the side of US supermodel Kate Upton at yesterday’s Melbourne Cup.

Franklin and Upton, 21, were the talk of the Birdcage, where they could be seen side-by-side for much of the day.

While Franklin is dating Sydney model Jesinta Campbell and Upton is reported to be seeing Maksim Chmerkovskiy, it was US Sports illustrated covergirl Upton that had the former Hawthorn star’s full attention.

The footballer was seen sidling up to the model at the Emirates marquee early in the day. Several hours later the new friends were still chatting.

Social media was buzzing with chat about the pair, but whether this was a one-off race-day meeting, like heiress Paris Hilton and singer Rob Mills’ fling in 2003, remains to be seen.

Watch this space…