Roughies enjoy a day out in Carnarvon as Ladies Day packs out course

Seven rounds of racing action sent steeds roaring down the Carnarvon dirt on Saturday with plenty of surprises appearing in the winner’s circle.

The biggest one was Graeme Hammarquist’s The Crown Prince in race six. The $31 outsider charged home from fifth with 400m to go to stun Kevin Mahoney’s Calling Card and fading favourite Friar’s Gift.

It is the eight-year-old gelding’s first win and first top-three finish in the last year.

The surprises didn’t stop there, with New Amsterdam claiming an upset win in race five with the $17 roughie making a late push, up from third to beat Nero Chin Chin by a nose with favourite Northern Ruler in a race of his own in third.

King of Planets was another starter who won despite odds sitting in the double figures as he timed his run coming from dead last after a slow start to cross the line first ahead of Mahutas as Rakiura took third with favourite Nights Mystery failing to place.

Peter Daly’s Speeding Comet, paying $9, finished ahead of favourite Heritage Sash with the Witch Doctor in third.

Only two favourites were able to claim their races. Set the Scene was never troubled in the race one maiden, finishing more than five lengths ahead of Money For Music in second.

And Sambaza gave local trainer Catherine Godden a win in race two, easily accounting for Captain Bonnie and Leader Bias by more than three lengths.

Godden picked up a second win in race four as Decoy Belle edged Wojtek who finished in a dead heat with favourite Calico Kid for second place.

There was plenty of action off the track, as Rebekah Skender took home Fashions on the Field honours with Meg An claiming runner-up and Jenayah Belloti winning best-dressed local.