Ladies were the focus of day one of the May Racing Carnival, with fashionable fillies frocking up in their most glamorous race day attire on Tuesday.
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Old friends caught up on the latest trackside information, new friendships were forged and the form-book amateurs mixed with the professionals.
Ladies Day was popular, with hundreds of women gathering in the ladies luncheon to enjoy fine dining and listen to guest speakers Peter Moody, Gai Waterhouse, Ciaron Maher and Michelle Payne.
Jockey Casey Bruce and Jo McKinnon MC’d the event, and women were able to touch up their make-up at pampering stations.
Melbourne resident Jessica Sullivan caught up with a group of friends at the luncheon.
“It’s three days of drinking, gambling and horse racing,” she said. “What more do you want?”
Ms Sullivan said she came to the races every year.
Warrnambool’s Leah Habel and Annaliese Bayliss enjoyed the hospitality in the marquee.
Miss Habel is a regular fashions on the field competitor, and is a founding member of the successful Milinery and Racewear – Australia Facebook page.
Port Fairy real estate agent Paula Dwyer caught up with her niece Tara Fitzgerald.
In the members grandstand Mary O’Dwyer and Pete Nagorcka celebrated a winning start to the carnival, scoring a double in the first race.
The pair are May race regulars, and were warmly dressed in winter coats and hats.
The rain came and went throughout the day, with punters seeking shelter under trees and the grandstands.
The front lawns were empty when the heavens opened, but filled up with people when the sun made attempts to come out.
In the Matilda Room Jessica Primmer was eye-catching in pink lace.
She sourced her outfit from Queensland, and said she had loved the carnival since she was a little girl.
“I used to be on the other side of the fence strapping,” Miss Primmer said.
