YOU BEAUTY!
Punters hot to trot for Weetwood
IT WAS a day of racing, fashion, and fun, as thousands of people passed through the gates of Clifford Park Racecourse for the Audi Centre Weetwood Handicap on Saturday.
Known as Toowoomba’s biggest party, the event heralds the start of Queensland Racing’s winter carnival.
Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie and jockey Bobby El-Issa atop Amanaat took home the Weetwood Cup, while off the field it was Emma Clarke who snagged first place in the Fashions on the Field event.
EMMA Clarke has gone one better than last year, taking out the Laser Clinics Australia Fashions on the Field at Weetwood on Saturday, after placing first runner-up in 2017.
Sporting an Alex Perry gown and complemented by a burgundy leather jacket and Allport Millinery hat, Ms Clarke caught the judges’ attention with her delightful two-tone autumn look.
The Brisbane-based journalist said coming to Toowoomba had become “a bit of a tradition for my family” and thought she’d test her luck by entering the Fashions on the Field competition.
“I’m very shocked,” she said. “I’m very surprised, you never expect it.
“It’s not about how much you spend, it’s about how you put it together and I think that really showed with some of the other contestants today as well.”
Karen Wade placed first runner-up, followed by Anna Lukyanova as second runner-up.
Gordon Cooper took out the men’s fashion competition.
Punters in their thousands came from near and far to take part in Toowoomba’s biggest party – but perhaps none further than Amy Taylor, who flew in from Hong Kong to take part in the festivities.
The jockey, who has ridden Michael Nolan’s Stood Up at past Weetwoods, was having a blast on Saturday.
“It’s really exciting to be on this side of the fence... it’s great,” she said.
Meanwhile for others like Naomi Freese, Amy Morris and Mia Anttila, their first Weetwood was one to remember.
Clutching a Bundy rum and coke, Ms Freese said the trio were “putting a few bets on and having a few bevvies”.
“We only just turned 18 so this is our first Weetwood. We just had to come for the experience,” Ms Morris said.
“And get all glammed up,” Ms Anttila added.
Thousands of people streamed through the gates of Clifford Park for the nine-race event.