From gummies to fascinators, the colour was on full display at the annual Omakau Races yesterday.
However, the event ended on a sombre note after champion harness racing driver Ricky May collapsed and was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition after suffering a medical event during the running of the Central Otago Trotting Cup.
The races were called off at 5.10pm.
Thousands gathered at the Omakau racecourse for trotting event, the first of a racing double header which includes today’s gallops.
Earlier in the day, the Fashion in the Field event offered entertainment for the 5000-strong crowd.
Her stepsister Sarah Hunter (31), of Christchurch, was runner-up.
‘‘We were supposed to be going home today ... I got roped along,’’ Ms Hunter said.
‘‘We’ve been holidaying around the South Island.’’
It was a second Fashion in the Field win for Ms Lake, who also won in 2017.
‘‘I won’t let out my secret,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s a good day out for friends and family.’’
Clyde’s Dianne Quin (52) placed third out of a total of 20 entrants who walked the catwalk in their best race day attire.
Central Otago Trotting Club president Graham Sinnamon said the ongoing popularity of the event was no fluke.
‘‘We each do the best we can with what we’re given,’’ he said.
‘‘You can tell by the families here — they keep coming back and that’s not an accident.’’
