The novelty event, run over 1600m, was organised to mark the 150th anniversary of the first race meeting at Cromwell.
New Zealand Grand National winner Kid Columbus, trained by Murray Hamilton, of Omakau, and stablemate Day Centre were pitted against some of Otago's top athletes - Daniel Balchin, Oska Inkster-Baynes , Lorenz Kissling and Jordan Maynard, all from the Caversham Club.
The men were given a 2min 30sec head-start, but the horses still managed a clear win, edging ahead of the athletes on the home straight. The horses' cause was helped by over-enthusiasm by one jockey which saw them start 15sec earlier than scheduled.
It was a unique experience for him and he was pleased with his time.
"The track was pretty uneven compared to what we normally run on and a bit soft in places, so I'm pretty happy with that time on a grass track. It was great to hear all that noise from the crowd, too - you could hear heaps of cheering and that really lifted me up," Balchin said.
Kid Columbus jockey Megan Brick, of Dunedin, said the race was good fun.
"It was a bit of a trial for them [the horses] and they had a good hit-out and seemed to enjoy it."
Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein said the race was organised as part of the entertainment for the 150th anniversary because in the early days, athletic events were often held at the Cromwell races.
Sunny weather yesterday was welcomed and a crowd of about 5500 turned out, he said.
The popular "Fashions on the Field" contest attracted a record 42 entrants, with eight or nine men lining up to strut their stuff alongside the women.
Dunedin travel consultant Alex Hannagan won the contest, wearing a black dress bought in David Jones in Sydney, a hat from Melbourne and a black and white jacket by Glam.
