Birthday girl the most fashionable at Ellerslie

Viva Fashions in the Field supreme winner Sian Roosenbrand received an "awesome birthday present" yesterday at the Ellerslie races. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It has been a big three days for Sian Roosenbrand.

Wednesday was Christmas Day, today is her 30th birthday, and in between she was crowned a double champion in the Viva Fashion in the Field event at the New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival Boxing Day races at Ellerslie.

"It was an awesome present," Ms Roosenbrand said of winning the Viva Supreme Award. "I was really, really stunned, but so happy. I [last] entered when I was really young and came to the races when I was about 19. This time I wanted to enter and make a good go of it for my birthday."

Image 1 of 8: Tabitha Chapman, centre, on the catwalk during Viva Fashions in the Field. Photo / Sarah Ivey

She was doubly surprised: first to win the Canvas women's racewear prize, she said, before going back-to-back with the supreme award too.

"I didn't pick it at all. I thought the judges were talking about someone else. I just thought, 'Oh well, it was fun'. So it was just a day of surprises, really."

Ms Roosenbrand, an online development specialist for Air New Zealand from Albany, picked up plenty of spoils with her wins.

For the Canvas women's racewear award, she won a night in the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour's prestige suite.

As the Viva Supreme Award winner, she won another night at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, including a massage for two, with meals. She will also claim a year's supply of designer prescription glasses or sunglasses, a $1500 Caci voucher and Murad products of $1500 retail value, two bespoke hats, a styling session with Natalie Chan and a 3D television.

The 30-year-old was at Ellerslie with two tables of family and friends as part of her birthday, which meant she had "pretty good support", she said.

Chief judge Janetta Mackay said the calibre of entrants this year had been impressive.

"Overall we thought there were some really nice, fresh looks this year and we liked that people were allowing their personalities to show," she said. "I think it's getting better all the time."

The Herald Christmas summer of racing continues on Saturday at Ellerslie. Gates open at 11am before the first race at 12.23pm.