FABULOUS frocks and fantastic fillies were the order of the day at last Saturday's Collie Cup.
Perfect blue skies shrouded McVee Road racecourse, with the 2000m United Crane Hire Collie Cup won by Scrapindipity, trained by Perth's Peggy Brown.
Ridden expertly by jockey Noel Rudland, Scrapindipity raced to the lead in the straight after having the sit on the two leaders to impressively win by three lengths from The Moon Day, with Flirtz No More taking out third place.
The winner paid $4.30 straight out and $2.80 for the place.
The Coalcliff Charlie Tylor Memorial Collie Plate over 1200m was the second race on the programme and although attracting only a small field, it proved to be a tight finish.
Flirty Lady, ridden by Sasha Starley and trained by Brad Graham, won by a half head from Octagene and Husslehoff a long neck away in third.
There was less than a length covering the whole field at the finish, with the winner paying $2.80 for the win.
Race six on the programme, the Applecross Electrical and Testing Services over 1400m, was a great result for local trainer Chris Gilbert with her horse Street Magician impressively winning by three quarters of a length.
Street Magician jumped well, and was in the first two before taking the lead before the turn and then fighting off all challengers up the straight.
The horse was well ridden by Misty Bazeley and gave all the connections a great result. Chris Gilbert was delighted that her local horse had won a race.
"It was an excellent effort on the horse's behalf. He was first up over 1400 after spelling for five months," she said.
"Providing his legs hold out, I certainly hope to enter him at next year's Collie Cup."
The winner paid $ 8.20 straight out and $2.20 for the place with many locals having a good collect.
Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray also took the chance to put visiting The West Australian journalist Ben O'Shea to task for last month's cruel Dean Alston cartoon which painted Collie in a less-than-flattering light.
Mr O'Shea, who was invited to the Cup by Mr Murray in response to the cartoon furor, braved the crowd, thanking them for their hospitality and apologising for the offence the cartoon caused.
Children, teenagers and families also strutted their stuff on the catwalk for the Fashions in the Fields competition.
The panel of judges, Kristy Harker, Bec Stewart and Stacey Vernon carefully considered the 40 entrants who were competing in the four different categories.
Event organiser Natasha Wright said that the standard of fashion was very high this year and included pieces from chain stores, local boutiques and department stores.
"Such an amazing effort was put in by everyone, especially women with their dresses, fascinators, hats, matching shoes and clutches," Ms Wright said.
Fashions winners were Lilly Ford in the children's category, Chloe Garner in the teens, Kira Bebbington in the ladies and Andy Byrne in the mens.
"We are already preparing for a bigger and better Fashions In The Fields next year," Ms Wright said.
Other winners on the day were:
Italia Plant Hire winner Teeshot, ridden by Mandy Richmond and trained by Ron Ives and paying $3 straight out and $2.10 for the place.
Collie Bus Service winner was Maiden Dad Said, ridden by Peter Farrel and trained by Jeff Pike and paid $3.60 straight out and $1.40 for the place.
Premier Coal winner Maiden Revisionary ridden by Kyra Yuill and trained by John Parker, was paying $5.20 straight out and 2.30 for the place.
Club chairman Keith Gilbert praised the efforts of all the volunteers.
"You have all worked tirelessly to make the day a great success," he said.
