The Melbourne Cup day event at the Dunedin racecourse was about horse racing, but there was so much more going on it sometimes felt like an afterthought.
As usual, the event attracted a crowd of people in remarkable states of dress - or undress for many very brave young women - on a rainy day of about 6degC.
It also saw some remarkable feats of high-heel walking in various states of intoxication on steep grandstand steps, on wet grass and in mud.
The men had it easier in flat heels, but mud was creeping up trouser legs as the afternoon wore on.
Fashion was also the focus behind the stands at the racecourse, where the Fashions on the Field event attracted the unusual and the stylish.
Five judges watched as aspiring models made a treacherous walk on a wet runway.
Facts about models included one man who ''likes horse racing, and recently became a doctor of psychology'', a woman who ''cross-stitches swear words into cushions'', and another who had been ''writing illegally since 1996'' as she never got her pen licence.
Judge Kaylene Matthews said there were ''some stunning, well-polished ladies out there'' in well co-ordinated outfits.
''I did feel very sorry for them. They had some very slippery conditions to manoeuvre across.
''They did very well.''
The winner was Cambridge woman Anna Campbell, who had returned to Dunedin to attend the event after a trip during winter to Larnach Castle.
It was not Ms Campbell's first Fashions on the Field win. She won an event at the New Zealand Trotting Cup in Christchurch last year.
''That is huge for someone who is not in their 20s,'' the 48-year-old said.
Her Wingatui win was ''really good''.
''Everybody's been so nice. Dunedin is lovely - it's a shame about the weather.''
Taieri-Clutha area police response manager Senior Sergeant Al Dickie said 20 officers were at the event.
Three people were arrested for disorder offences.
One man was arrested after he allegedly broke a window at the back of the grandstand and urinated through the broken glass.
Snr Sgt Dickie said a ''re-hydration'' tent for intoxicated patrons, being run by student group Red Frog, took about 10 people an hour home from the event as they were too intoxicated.
Outgoing Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein said everyone had dressed for summer, despite the conditions.
''Dunedin really does want to enjoy this day.''
The club had hoped for a crowd of 6500, and expected to get close to that.
