Boots the go on race day

Amanda Moreny and Amy Hollberger enter the Malouf Group Pharmacies Millinery Award 2010.

Max Fleet

HELEN Rimmington may not have won best dressed, but her black and white gumboots were an original race day fashion statement.

The Bundaberg resident went for comfort over heels when she donned the galoshes for the Combined Catholic Schools Race Day at Thabeban Park.

“I usually have the big heels on,” she said.

But the recent heavy downpours had Mrs Rimmington rethinking her footwear choice.

Although the hairdresser gave the best dressed award a crack, top honours for Fashions on the Field went to Rebecca O’Dwyer, while Caitlyn McGovern won the millinery award.

Ms O’Dwyer said it was stiff competition this year.

Bundaberg Race Club vice-president Robert Modrow said the highlight of the Saturday event was when Queensland Racing officials gave horses the green light at 6am.

“I was elated we were actually able to go ahead,” Mr Modrow said.

About 800 people braved windy conditions to watch the horses take to the renovated track.

“If we’d not spent the $20,000 on the track we would not have had local races (on Saturday),” Mr Modrow said.

Money raised will go to Bundaberg schools. The next race day is on May 1.