For the past two years they have dealt with doses of winter-like conditions on the day of their annual summer race meet, many donning jackets, gumboots, gloves and hats to cope with cold winds and rain. During the 2017 trots, the temperature at the Roxburgh Racecourse was only 7degC at 1pm. Last year, it rained for all of the last three races.
But yesterday the Teviot Valley "turned it on" and racegoers enjoyed a "normal summer’s day" of temperatures estimated at about 20degC, Roxburgh Trotting Club president Dave Parker said.
He estimated more than 1500 people were at the racecourse and said it had been a "brilliant" day, featuring a strong field of more than 100 horses in 11 races.
The event provided warmer temperatures for Fashion in the Field entrants too. Two years ago the event had to be moved from the outdoor catwalk into the tearooms building and entrants slipped on extra layers of clothing between parading and judging.
This year they were back on the outdoor catwalk, young contestants Bella Hill and Matilda Stevens saying they had enjoyed dressing up for the crowd.
The annual race meeting is always popular with Teviot Valley youngsters, and one remembered the previous cold race days well.
"It’s much better this year," Charlotte McNeish, of the Knobbies, said.
"It’s nice and warm today."
