MILLICENT woman Brianna Scanlon has secured the biggest win in her races fashion career, named Thoroughbred Racing South Australia’s Fashions At The Races People’s Choice winner.
The 2019/20 season accolade features $9000 in prizes including $2000 cash and has been worth the wait for Ms Scanlon after numerous attempts at claiming the state crown.
After placing runner-up in 2016/17 and qualifying for finals in the last four seasons, Ms Scanlon found it hard to describe the winning feeling.
“I feel blessed, shocked, grateful and excited,” she said.
“I have been in over 20 competitions and this is the largest I have won.
“It is a big thing for me.”
No stranger to success in fashions on the field, Ms Scanlon has won the Casterton Cup competition, been a Dunkeld runner-up and awarded best millinery in two separate competitions and placed in the top 10 for two state finals.
Her 2019/20 winning look first sparked attention at the 2019 Mount Gambier Twilight Gold Cup where she claimed the event’s fashions on the field title.
The sleek dress with pink, purple, white and black vertical stripes is polished off with a stylish wide brim hat.
Despite the stunning finished product, Ms Scanlon said preparation did not go as originally intended.
“This outfit was not what I had planned to wear at all,” she said.
“I tried my original outfit on the night before for the first time and I did not like how it looked.
“My mum and I frantically went through our racewear collection and she found a plain black boater purchased a few months back, so we started gathering ribbon to try and recreate the print on the dress I had purchased to wear as a top instead.
“I also made a quick dash in the morning to grab some last-minute ribbon to complete the hat and thank goodness my shoes arrived on the morning of the races.
“I am so proud we pulled it off.”
Ms Scanlon said she rated the look as one of her best.
“I like being bold, but sleek at the same time.
The 2019/20 season was not without its interruptions with COVID-19 cancelling several race meets, while spectators were unable to attend some events.
Another major change was a new system which allowed people to vote for their favourite look as opposed to a judging panel.
“I was against some beautiful ladies, who I honestly thought were going to win over me.”
Ms Scanlon dedicated the success to her Nanna, Aunty Peg and mother, who were her main inspirations and has a simple message to anyone interested in entering the competition.
“If anyone is unsure to enter next season, you should just go for it,” she said.
“Believe in yourself and do not be afraid to wear something bold if that is what you feel like doing.
Congratulating Ms Scanlon on her win, Thoroughbred Racing SA’s Anna Price said fashions had long been associated with a day at the races and always add colour and excitement to feature race meetings.
“Many participants put plenty of time and thought into planning their outfits and those efforts are reflected in what we see on race days across South Australia,” Ms Price said.
“Brianna is a particularly assiduous and savvy Fashions participant and – despite being among a super-competitive field – she was a thoroughly deserving winner of the Fashion at the Races people’s choice competition, as anyone who saw her outfit would attest.”
