2016 Tamworth Melbourne Cup day glitz and glamour

Wallabadah cousins Olivia Dillion and Maddy Woods took out first and second place in the millinery Fashions on the Field.

The pair looked glamorous in their matching white dresses and fascinators, but said it was an accident they dressed so similar.

“We always do everything together, so it’s funny we also won together,” Ms Dillion said, laughing.

It was a winning kind of day for Ms Woods, who also picked the winners in the first and second Tamworth race.

“I picked Brave Maiden in the first race because [Tamworth local] Sue Grills trains her – I don't know to much about racing, but I know Sue trains good horses,” she said, laughing.

Ms Grills told The Leader she has been coming to Tamworth Melbourne Cup Day races for the last 30 years.

In that time she's seen “a lot of change”, but “always for the better”.

“They always have a super day here,” Ms Grills said.

“It was good to win with Brave Maiden because the owners are all from Tamworth, so it was a big thrill for them to have a win.

“Brave Maiden has been a bit of bride's maid, she's run a lot of seconds. I haven't trained her all that long but it's nice to win a race with her.” Tamworth punter Marty Smith said the more drinks he had, the luckier he got.

“I haven’t picked a winner yet, but I can feel one coming on soon,” he said.

But it wasn’t all about winning.

“I don’t know who’s racing, it’s all about the alcohol, the company and the dresses,” Alison Groth said.

And of course, every big race meeting always has its characters, the ones that stand out from the crowd.

It was a tad too hot for Simon Ambrose to wear a suit, so he pulled out his Fred Flintson costume.

“It’s always good to be a bit different,” he said, laughing.

He was accompanied by his mate, Daniel Etheridge, who was sporting a fluro green pants and hat.

“I knew there would be a fair few people here, so I didn’t want to get lost,” Mr Etheridge said.