A day at the Omakau races

Central Otago Racing Club president Alistair Eckhoff said the crowd seemed smaller this year but was still between 4000 and 5000 people. The family event offered "free stuff for the kids" such as a bouncy castle, sack races and moon-hopper races.

A mixture of punters and picnickers enjoyed country music from Jody Direen, of Wanaka.

"We couldn't have wished for a better day. It's still, sunny and not too hot," Mr Eckhoff said.

Photos by Peter McIntosh; prints available from otagoimages.co.nz.