A frightfully fresh morning has given way to a perfect autumn afternoon at the 2019 Wagga Gold Cup.
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Even the whisper of bad weather did not dull the enthusiasm of the crowds, as scores packed into the Murrumbidgee Turf Club hours ahead of the first race.
Last night's helping of 30mm rain caused something of a sog on the track, forcing up to 50 horses to be scratched from the races.
But the wet conditions served to only increase the chances of crowd favourite Abdon.
One long-time race goer, Brian Belt spoke of the horse's superiority under the inclement conditions.
"Abdon is where my money is going, every one tells me he's good in the wet," Mr Belt said.
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For others in the crowd though, the races were just peripheral distraction to the real entertainment: the fashions.
A tight group of 15 friends had travelled from Wollongong for the two-day cup carnival. To identify their pack, the ladies each wore a leopard print sun hat.
That trademark was coined last year.
"It was my 60th last year, and we went to Bali. We all wore leopard print, because why not? I loved it even when it was daggy," Nelle said.