Race day a perfect fit for all (almost)

Maryann Hawkwood tries on some heels. Photo / Steven McNicholl

It was all about fashion yesterday, as thousands of people turned out in their finest clothes for a day at the races.

Maryann Hawkwood, 22-months-old, got to join the adults at the Melbourne Cup day in Ellerslie, Auckland yesterday, decked in a spotty red dress, a top hat and nana's high heels.

Mum Kelly Hawkwood said the toddler had a great day out, cheering on the horses and getting to dress up.

"She loved the horses - she was waving at them and cheered for them as they all came in at the finish line."

Meanwhile, in Cambridge, Fashion in the Fields again proved to be a popular event on Melbourne Cup day.

Zoe Prentice was the overall winner, with a stylish outfit. Amanda Hines was second and Anne Campbell third.

In Auckland, Orakei hair salon Bettjemans was kept busy as women got their hair done for various Melbourne Cup parties around town.

Owner Grant Bettjeman said the call for his team yesterday was "glamour with a capital G".

"Instead of fashion in the field, it's been fashion in the salon, with clients arriving in their full outfits. It's been awesome, just a non-stop parade of glamour."

Mr Bettjeman said the most popular colours for yesterday's festivities were black, white and yellow.

Meanwhile, across town at the recently renovated Euro Restaraunt, staff were preparing for 450 people to descend.

Nursing a cough, owner Simon Gault was at the epicentre of the event that included four TAB counters, 20 LCD screens, gift bags and waiting staff dressed in bright jockey outfits.

"We just made it in time for the Melbourne Cup, we only opened three days ago. So we've doubled the size and we've got 430 people coming for lunch so this will be the biggest day of the year for us."

As well as champagne and entertainment from The Mermaids, punters were treated to five courses of Gault's culinary expertise at the $150 per head event.

- with NZ HERALD STAFF