Ladies flaunt their frocks at Hawkesbury

As women donned their finest attire on ladies’ day at Flemington, just as much thought has been poured into raceday fashions on Sydney’s north-western fringe.

Warm weather and cloudless blue skies attracted big crowds and striking frocks for Ladies Day at Hawkesbury, with many eager to impress for the chance to win $20,000 worth of prizes.

Winner of the best classic outfit Bridget Vanderburg was up until midnight adding the final touches to her fascinator.

“It was very last minute,” Vanderburg told AAP.

The Fashions on the Field veteran has competed for seven years but has never left the races with the winning sash.

“The girls in the classic were amazing and they had beautiful outfits so I wasn’t confident of winning but finally I did.”

Jockey Grant Buckley who won the first race at Hawkesbury on Thursday wasn’t the only family member to claim victory with wife and former jockey Chantelle runner-up in the fashion parade ahead of Kate Lynch.

Local mum-of-three Kristie Paint won the best contemporary outfit wearing a bright yellow Country Road dress and matching hat made by her friend Kylie.

“I saw last year how beautiful they all looked and I thought I could go to an extreme like that and it paid off,” Paint said.

Paint and fellow second place contestant Melissa Hannaford both won the prize for best hat while local racegoer Sinead Ganz walked away third.