Pretty in pink, and variations thereof. This crowd of happy racegoers were clearly getting into the cup spirit.
If you had asked the weather gods to pick a winner, you couldn’t have got a better result for this year’s Berrigan Cup.
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The sunny and warm conditions saw more than 4000 pack the track for the Derby day meeting, the highlight of the club’s season.
Berrigan president Geoff Swann described the day and crowd as “exceeding expectations”.
“And the crowd was really well behaved, despite the warm conditions, and I want to compliment all the patrons,” he says.
“The day was well supported, which is a testament to the hard-working committee, which always has the grounds in top condition for race day.”
At this year’s cup meeting, three of those long-term dedicated committee members and helpers – Ken and Sandy Moar and Smiley Ryan – were recognised with life memberships.
“These people have put countless hours into the race days over many years and it was great to acknowledge their contribution,” Geoff added.
This year’s Berrigan cup winner, Choice Harvest, also turned on a show for the crowd. Running last as the field came out of the final turn, the heavily-backed nine-year-old gelding found a dazzling turn of foot as they straightened and scored running away – the 13th win of its 76-start career.
While Choice Harvest might have been the fastest on the day, the fashionable were in a class all of their own.
Fashions on the Field has always been a highlight at Berrigan’s big day and 2023 was no different.
In a very competitive field, the judges faced some pretty tough decisions before declaring correct weight in each category, and the winners were:
Young Miss Racegoer – Ruby O’Kane, Yarrawonga.
Young Mr Racegoer – Toby Hanrahan, Cowra.
Hat of the Day – Sarah Cox, Wodonga.
Couple of the Day – Luke and Loretta Walker, Conargo.
Lady of the Day – Cath Brooks, Berrigan.
Gent of the Day – Richard Nixon, Oaklands.
Fashions on the Field Lady of the Year Cath Brooks.
Ellie Haezelwood, Joanne Dowsett and Carolyn Cobb looked set for a day in the spring sun.
Making the most of the family day were, from left: Will Clifton, Ella Swan, Flo Waterman, Olivia Clifton, and Percy Waterman.
Leonara Naughton and Ruby Bilkey were a trendy pair of junior racegoers.
Pink was proving popular at the track this year, and it helped Ruby O’Kane win Young Miss Racegoer.
Toby Hanrahan proved a judges’ favourite in the Young Mr Racegoer.
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