CROWDS of punters travelled from far and wide for the grand return of the 2021 Gold Cup on Friday after a year away from the trackside.
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For many, the thrill of backing a winner was the highlight of the afternoon while others simply lapped up the glitz and glam of race day fashion.
In keeping with COVID-safe regulations, the Murrumbidgee Turf Club was packed to the brim, and after a year with limited socialising, it only bolstered the already intense excitement.
- READ MORE: All the action from the 2021 Wagga Gold Cup
One young attendee Claudia Di Trapani said she felt "lucky" to be back at the big day.
"I always come to the Gold Cup, it's so good to be back and I feel really lucky that we're able to be here despite the pandemic," she said.
"It's such a big day for Wagga too, and it's great to see everyone enjoying themselves."
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One group who stood out on the day hailed from the Sutherland Shire, all donned in matching bright green shirts.
The friendly punters club have been travelling to race days across the country for 11 years now, and one member Graham Hill said this year's destination was decided around the pandemic.
"We started off as footballers actually, but our bodies broke down so we thought we'd make a punters club," he said.
"Normally we travel interstate, but we thought with COVID-19, we'd pick somewhere in NSW and here we are in Wagga."
Mr Hill said they followed strict rules with their matching shirts, too.
"The shirts are only allowed to be worn once a year when we go away," he said.
"If you find they don't fit the next year, well, you have to slim down or go with it unbuttoned and put a singlet underneath because the shirts are not negotiable."
Michelle Ingram was another attendee soaking up the atmosphere, but for her, it was a rare occurrence coming from Delegate in Victoria.
"I haven't been here in ages, my daughters always come normally but they have kids of their own now and aren't here, so I thought why not?" she said.
"We're semi-retired now, so I thought, let's make the most of it."
Ms Ingram backed a few horses over the day, with a common theme swaying her vote.
"All the horses I chose are local and we know the owners, so that was the decider," she said.
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