Fashion, fun and local racing to feature at the track as Geraldton Turf Club hosts Melbourne Cup Day

Tradition, fashion and fun are set to be on show when Melbourne Cup Day runs at Geraldton Turf Club next Tuesday.

The day will feature a full card of local races along with telecasts of the Melbourne Cup from Flemington.

Turf club manager David Wrensted said he expected a big crowd.

“It’s one of the biggest race meetings in Geraldton even though it’s midweek,” Wrensted said.

“It’s such a traditional day in Australian racing.

“It’s one of the long-running race meetings in Geraldton that’s really well supported.

“You can follow the Melbourne Cup and enjoy local racing on the same day.”

Local race and fashion enthusiasts Steph Johnson and Eliza Hebiton said they would be there on the day and entering the Fashions on the Field show.

Ms Hebiton, who won the Fashions heat at Ladies Day, is part of The Races WA’s Statewide contest.

Mid West contestants Jo Kanny, Christy Poulsen and Kirsty Rogers are also entered in the competition.

Ms Johnson, who has been doing Fashions for about 10 years and rents out race-day outfits, said she aimed to make the top 10 herself but had dressed previous winners.

She said results could depend on what was in vogue and the season, as well as the judge on the day, but generally a well-co-ordinated outfit would be looked on favourably.

“It’s really nice to see what people throw together, or plan,” Ms Johnson said.

“Some people spend months planning what they’re going to wear.

“It’s quite normal to make some elements or aspects (of the outfit.) It’s a lot of fun.”

She sometimes made fascinators to suit a particular dress, while people could paint their shoes or clutch to co-ordinate with an outfit.

She said it was hard to pick a common trend in recent winning outfits.