This afternoon's forecast is not looking flash for Melbourne Cup race day but the fashion conscious as well as those more interested in the horses are crossing their fingers the warm weather predicted for this morning will hold out for the big race at 5pm.
"Hats. Hats are the thing again. We've had a huge run on hats and I expect a last-minute dash tomorrow morning," Mrs Smaill, general manager of Arthur Barnett, the major sponsor of the Fashions on the Field event at Wingatui, said yesterday.
"Certainly, the make-up counters are heavily booked for the morning," she said.
As the Melbourne Cup race day at Wingatui gained in popularity, so too did people's interest in the fashion show and in dressing nicely for the races, Mrs Smaill said.
This year, she is expecting an increase on last year's 100 entrants in the competition, which has more than $10,000 worth of prizes.
Yesterday, she would not let the prospect of rain put a damper on festivities.
"It sounds like it'll still be nice for our event, anyway."
The MetService is forecasting a front, followed by a southerly change, will pass over Dunedin between 3pm and 6pm, dropping temperatures from 18degC in the morning to 8degC.
The front is expected to bring rain and snow to low levels later tonight.
"We're expecting it to cool off quite rapidly and be even colder in the evening," forecaster Bob Lake said.
It would be "touch and go" whether the front would land at Wingatui before the Cup at 5pm, but it was moving at a speed that indicated it was likely to, he said.
The event organiser for one of the companies on the racecourse this year said he would be better prepared this year.
The Laptop Company's marquee suddenly became popular last year when the weather turned bad part way through the day, as it was the only one to have a heater, Kerry Bowen, organiser of the company's day out, said.
The Melbourne Cup day outing was an event Laptop's staff looked forward to and this year, given the forecast, he ordered a heater as well as some extra cover for the front of their marquee.
Most of the staff from the Dunedin branch were attending the races, along with about 50 clients and management staff from as far away as Christchurch.
"We do it for something different.
"How often do you get to go to a nice day at the races? It's great fun and everyone enjoys it."
The police, too, are preparing for a great day out.
Mosgiel Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane said there would be a significant police presence at the races, with a focus on pushing the no drink-driving message.
Police would be breath-testing the drivers arriving and leaving the event.
It was hoped a new rule banning bring-your-own alcohol would have a positive impact on behaviour this year, Snr Sgt Lennane said.
