A beautiful spring day greeted the crowds that flocked for the Deniliquin Gold Cup Races on Saturday.
Good weather meant a full complement of racing and trackside action, erasing all memory of the races being washed out last year.
Guests came filing through the gates at the Deniliquin Racecourse ready for a day of action, many of them donning their best spring racing outfits.
Some dressed for the fun of it, but others had their hearts and minds set on winning a Fashions on the Field prize.
The popular fashions event delivered a dazzling display of style, creativity, and country flair, with a strong line-up of contestants turning heads and impressing judges.
Hosted by Sam Hall, the event was praised as “one of the best fields” he’d ever seen.
He drummed up interest and laughs from the crowd, and directed all challenges to the judging panel.
To ensure fairness and eliminate local bias, the judging panel was brought in from out of town.
They had their work cut out for them, with a mix of seasoned fashionistas and last-minute entrants drawn in by the impressive prize pool.
One of the most hotly contested sections was Lady of the Day, which saw the 2025 Deniliquin Anzac Day winners back it up to claim the first and runner-up prizes again.
Simone Penglase from Tullakool placed first at both events, and also won Lady of the Day at last year’s Gold Cup phantom races.
Opting for a red and black theme to match Anzac Day in April, on Saturday she was more spring-like in a green and floral combination.
Runner-up was again Alicia Williams from Barham who looked classic in yellow.
Other results from the day are as follows:
Junior Girl of the Day - Peggy O’Donnell; runner-up - Paige Ginn.
Junior Boy of the Day - George Pisasale; runner-up - Jack Ginn.
Teen Girl of the Day - Talitha Lawson; runner-up - Alexis Bucholtz.
Teen Boy of the Day - River Sims; runner-up - Jaxson Elso.
Millinery Award - Leonie Whalen; runner-up - Rose Jordan.
Gentleman of the Day - Johnny Foscarini; runner-up - Kaiden Joss.
Contemporary Lady of the Day - Wendy Nethercote; runner-up - Angela Brain.
Couple of the Day - Indie McInnes and Frankie White; runners-up - Jane and Peter Middlebrook.