WHILE most eyes were on the racetrack at South Australia’s richest country race meet on Sunday, the stakes were also high when it came to fashion.
Hundreds of punters graced the Penola Racecourse for the 3MP Millicent Cup where the best of the Limestone Coast’s style was on display.
A strong number of entrants took to the turf and battled it out for best dressed, however it was Tanya Wilson who won the crown and glory from the Fashion at the Races event.
Ms Wilson will head to Adelaide in September where the “best of the best” from the Fashions at the Races winners across the state will be announced.
She received a $1000 cash prize, among other incentives and told The South Eastern Times she still cannot believe she won the highly sought after title.
“I’m not sure it has sunk in yet, it was so exciting to win my first sash,” she said.
“I have entered fashions a handful of times before and have seen my little sister Bri win, but never dreamed that I too would be able to win, especially on Sunday as the competition was extremely tough.
“There were so many beautifully dressed women I would have hated to be in the judges’ shoes.
“My inspiration for my outfit came from my dress.
“I am very lucky to have a fashionista sister who knows what’s trending and what’s hot.
“She found the dress, which was by Trelise Cooper and I then based the rest of my outfit around autumn leaf colours.”
She said the region was lucky to have such a wonderful competition and extended her appreciation to the organisers, Races South Australia, the judges and the sponsors for putting on the event.
Judge Leah Habel said Ms Wilson’s outfit was a standout and she looked impeccable from head to toe dressed appropriately within the autumn race wear guidelines.
Meanwhile, event organiser Helen Varcoe said she was pleased with the number of competitors and the high standard of fashion.
“We had a very good number of competitors entering this year with 25 ladies,” she said.
“It was a very high standard of competition with good numbers also in the male fashions and the stage was completely filled in the couple’s fashions.”
Lauren Harvey finished runner-up, Melanie Wade was awarded best footwear and best millinery was presented to Belinda Nurse.
Victorian resident Anthony Sealey won best-dressed male and the best dressed couple was Millicent’s newest doctor William Jeyaprakash and his partner Ann Bevina who entered for the first time.
Given the tough task of judging this year’s event was the 2018 state winner from Warrnambool, Leah Habel, alongside Justin Kain from Penola and a representative from The Races South
Australia.
