Fab frocks and finery at races
Punters enjoy the party atmosphere
gh and Pat Higgins It wasn’t just the women who enjoyed Ladies Day Around 7000 people turned out to enjoy perfect weather at last week’s Totepool Ladies Day at Perth Racecourse. Fancy frocks aplenty were on display as punters enjoyed eight races and a variety of entertainment throughout, and our snapper Richard Wilkins was on hand to capture all the action. There was a special buzz throughout the day and the crescendo peaked when Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago entertained the crowd live from the main stage after racing, with thousands of racegoers staying on to party into the Debbie Eltringham, Kayley Hallgarth, Cherie McNiven, Amy Gasden and Vicky Guild summer evening.
Hazel Peplinski, Perth Racecourse chief executive, said: “What a wonderful Totepool Ladies Day we all enjoyed – both the racing and the wider entertainment was lapped up by the big crowd, with the stunning weather the perfect backdrop to it all.
“Again we must thank our committed grounds team for all their hard work in preparing the track for what was an even bigger card than usual, with eight races really well supported by owners and trainers and enjoyed by racegoers, some of them sampling the sport for the first time.
“I’m not sure I’ve seen a crowd enjoy entertainment after racing quite like this year’s Ladies Day crowd did when Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago took to the stage, which was a brilliant way to end the day.”
Racegoers were awarded prizes for their outfits, with Perthshire girl Samantha O’Connor walking away with the top Grand Lady prize of £2000 courtesy of Holland Cooper.
Charity was also a winner with the crowd donating more than £6000 to Breast Cancer Now.
The next meeting at Perth is Gold Cup Day on Sunday, June 3. Go to www. perth-races.co.uk or call 01738 551 597 for ticket information.
To buy any of our pictures taken on the day, just go to https:// scottishanduniversal.newsprints. co.uk/ Michelle Henvey (second left), celebrated her birthday with friends Lynsey Duffy, Nikki Gibson and Jill Malcolm