The sun was shining as a strong crowd celebrated the first heat of the Country Championships in Dubbo on Sunday.
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Hundreds attended the Racing NSW event to see some of the best horses from the region compete, and two win a place in the Championship finals.
For Nalinda Luckie the races were a chance for her to spend the day with her daughters and best friend.
“I’m absolutely loving getting out of the house and spending some time with the girls. And I love horses,” she said.
Her last name rang true. Ms Luckie put her first bet on and happened to pick a winner.
“It’s a great atmosphere and it’s a chance to have a bit of fun with some wonderful people,” she said.
While Ms Luckie has been out to the Dubbo Turf Club before, for events like a Pink Angels’ fundraiser, she said it was an extra special day on Sunday.
“My husband has just got a transfer to Queensland so we thought it would be a good to come out and experience what Dubbo has to offer,” she said.
The racegoer was full of praise for the event from the weather to the incredible music. It had been lovely to spend the day out with loved ones, she said.
It was also a great day out for fashion.
The Fashions on the Field was the opening of the 2019 Dubbo Fashions on the Field series. There will be five heats throughout the year with the overall winners getting some incredible prizes.
Liliana Birchall was named as the winner of Sunday’s Fashions on the Field. Second prize was awarded to Carmen Holden-Smith and third went to Bec McKay.
For the first time a highly commended prize was awarded. It went to 92-year-old Edith Osborne who had travelled from Wellington to attend the races.
The Daily Liberal is also running its own fashion competition.
The best-dressed racegoer, as voted by the Daily Liberal readers, will get a chance to win accommodation and members tickets to the Country Championships final at Ranwick on April 6.
The entrants can be voted for on the Daily Liberal website.
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