A Mosgiel woman rose above losing everything in a house fire to be crowned the fashion favourite at Wingatui yesterday.
It was a day of bee swarms and good behaviour at the racecourse's Melbourne Cup day meet yesterday.
Fashions in the Fields winner Lisa Lamb clinched the competition with a black lacy dress she bought weeks earlier and a visor which cost about $15 to make.
''We had a house fire earlier this year. I usually have 30 or so dresses to choose from, which we lost this year, so my husband was good enough to let me go on a bit of a shopping spree.
''This is actually a bridesmaid's gown I think because I bought it off the internet from a bridal shop.''
Flames gutted the Chain Hills Rd home in February after an electrical fault.
''My son and I got out of the house OK, but we lost everything we own.
''Now I'm winning Fashions in the Fields with something I bought a couple of weeks ago.''
The family was renting and would then live in a caravan until their new house was built.
She likely had about 2% of the clothes she owned previously, she said.
''But I'm working on it.''
Before the semifinals of the event a swarm of bees flew into the crowd, making punters duck and scream.
Sergeant Kevin Davidson, of Mosgiel, said it was a common natural occurrence.
The crowd was both one of the smallest and best-behaved police had seen, he said.
''We're very, very happy. It's the first time in seven years they've had good weather, so that just sets the mark I think, people's attitudes change.''
Otago Racing Club general manager Rebecca Adlam said it was a ''fantastic day''.
''Numbers at the start of the day were a wee bit down on last year, but we've had a fantastic walk-up crowd.''
The sun shone and behaviour was great, she said.
''It is a flagship event for the club.''
