A RELAXED atmosphere and plenty of entertainment drew more than 1100 to the Port Fairy Community Race Day.
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Thursday’s eight-race meet saw Port Fairy locals make the trip to Warrnambool, with friends and workmates catching up and celebrating Christmas parties on the lawns at Warrnambool Racecourse.
Fashions on the Field was won by Keeda Dalton, from Broadwater.
Miss Dalton purchased her two piece ensemble from Mangowood Boutique and her matching headpiece was made by Jodi Fry from Miss Moo Millinery.
“I bought the outfit for the May races,” she said.
“It was too cold to wear it, so I saved it for here. I’ve entered the fashions before but never won. I will definitely enter again.”
Runner up was Koroit’s Leah Habel, who wore a dress designed by her mother Denise and sewn by her nanna Judy Brockway-Garner.
Miss Habel’s headpiece was made by Sharon Wilson Millinery.
Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive officer Peter Downs was pleased with the turnout.
“It’s been a fantastic day,” he said. “It has been very well supported by the Port Fairy community. A lot of people have made the trip over.”
Mr Downs said there was a high calibre of quality in the Fashions on the Field competition.
“The fashions were fantastic and the South West Sports Car Club came and put on a display on the lawn,” he said. “We are very pleased with the day.”
Blues/soul band Tank Dilemma kept the public entertained between races, while the Van Someren Equestrian Vaulting team joined forces with All Abilities Equestrian, displaying their acrobatic show on horseback.
The club donated the proceeds from race books purchased on the day for a gold coin donation, to former apprentice jockey Brenton Primmer.
Primmer broke two vertebrae and sustained severe brain injuries in a race fall in 2006.
He is aiming to compete in the equestrian events at the 2020 Paralympic Games.