The Melbourne Cup Raceday bought the punters in, despite dreary, grey weather conditions.
The much-loved Fashions on the Field event drew a record number of entries, including a large number of men.
Contestant and runner-up, Poppy Balneaves said she made a promise to herself that this year she would only wear original designs and outfits on stage.
"This is the first time I’ve ever worn something I’ve made myself - not just in the competition, but ever."
She made her first dress in June, just to see if she could do it.
"It just kind of snowballed for me, I just kept making them."
She started by cutting a few patterns out of baking paper and sewing them together, before she moved on to trying her hand with real fabrics.
"I’m just self-taught ... it’s amazing what we can all do when we really try at something - it was winter, a great time to try a new hobby, because what else is there to do?"
The dress she wore yesterday took about two days to make and the matching hat about an hour and a-half.
Otago Racing Club sales and marketing co-ordinator Samantha Wells said she was "stoked" to have a record-number of entries.
She said overall, the day had been excellent.
"We’ve had a massive crowd today, considering the forecast isn’t what we thought it was going to be — everyone’s having a great time."
