mmg.com.au

Although gusty winds made it awkward for most women wearing dresses yesterday, the crowd still enjoyed their day out at the races.

Italian Plate Day is the most popular event on Tatura and Shepparton Racing Club’s calendar and attracted more than 1500 people to the track yesterday.

‘‘We’re having a great day, we’ve lived in Tatura for six years and we’ve come every year,’’ Shane Hands said.

‘‘But we’re losers today. If you want a hot tip, don’t get them off me.’’

Local horses proved strong with Oh George taking out race two, ridden by Jason Lyon and trained by Gary Sherer. Mon Coeur galloped ahead in race 11, ridden by Jye McNeill and trained by Trevor Miles.

The Italian Plate Day race was won by Seymour horse Down Under Boy, who was ridden by jockey Cory Parish and trained by John Symons and Sheila Laxon.

Tatura and Shepparton Racing Club chief executive Desiree Pettit said the women’s Fashion on the Field drew a record number of competitors, with the girls battling it out in six heats to determine the winner.

Shepparton’s Ashleigh Barri, 26, decided her outfit on the morning of race day and walked away with first prize. Tatura’s Erin Lipshut, 27, was runner-up.

Miss Barri wore a Cue dress and her hat was from Shop 221 in Shepparton.

‘‘This was my first year in the fashions and moving back to the country it’s been fun to be able to do a few (fashions on the field) locally,’’ Miss Barri said.

Miss Barri returned to the Goulburn Valley after completing a law degree in Melbourne. She works at Riordon Legal.

‘‘I’m having a lovely day, I bought my mum Leanne with me today,’’ she said.

Ms Pettit said other than the strong winds, which hung around for most of the day, the event was a success.

‘‘It was a pretty full course, there were roughly 1300 booked in for the marquees and we haven’t had a chance to count the general public yet,’’ she said.

‘‘The crowd was fantastic and well behaved, everyone was in a good mood and enjoying themselves.’’

The Vraca and Varapodio families were presented with a plaque in recognition of more than 20 years involvement with Italian Plate Day.