By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
UMBRELLAS were the accessory of the day as racegoers made the best of unfavourable conditions at the Pakenham Gazette Oaks today.
Though it started out patchy and the sun made a brief appearence, the fair weather was short lived as the skies opened up at 3pm.
Melaine Hudson travelled to Tynong from Geelong, braving heavy traffic and a sketchy forecast.
“I was stuck on the Westgate for about an hour this morning, I thought I might just go home,“ she said.
“I was going to wear white but decided on red when I saw the forecast, and I’m glad I did.“
Melaine wore a dress by ’She Insider’ to take second in the hotly-contested Fashions on the Field competition, which over 100 people entered in several different categories.
Similarly, Jan Hendry from Beaconsfield and Maggie Parson from Hastings attend the races together every year but considered watching from a local hotel instead.
“We were going to stay there but I’m glad we decided to come,“ Jan said.
“Last year we didn’t go as the racetrack wasn’t open yet, so we didn’t want to miss it.“
Races continued as the crowd moved under the many large umbellas dotted throughout the grounds and enjoyed Tynong’s modern dining and hospitality facilities.
Upper Beaconsfield horse trainer and Herald Sun journalist Daryl Timms’ horse East Bound took out the Embellish Fashions Handicap.
Other winning horses include Rock Icon, Sausage Dog, Jacqueric and Romantic Spirit.
The last of the day’s nine races was scheduled for 5.20pm.
