Fashions, fillies and a flutter on first past the post.
Out came the sunshine that dried up all the rain yesterday - just in time for harness racing at Tauranga Racecourse.
Among the spectators was Tauranga's Gail Morley, who was celebrating her 40th birthday in style.
She and friends Jules Jensen and Halee
Reid stood eagerly on the sidelines in matching baby-pink hats as glossy horses darted by.
Ms Morley, whose actual birthday was Thursday, waited until yesterday to celebrate so she could enjoy what she loves most.
"I used to own standardbreds and drive harness horses and I still ride horses. These horses are athletes," she said.
Yesterday's event was the only harness racing meet in the Western Bay of Plenty for this year and is the 17th annual event. It was the second of the Interislander Summer Festival races.
Also enjoying the day was bride-to-be Melissa van Marrewijk, 24, who in a tiara and veil was celebrating her hen's party with a group of excited girlfriends, picnicking on the grass.
Meanwhile the Latus family, who emigrated to Tauranga last week from Hull in England, were enjoying the balmy weather and watching harness racing for the first time.
"It was -12C in Hull and 2 foot of snow in the back garden," father Dean Latus said.
"We've gone from cold to glorious.
"We're not familiar with harness racing at all in the UK ... this is fantastic."
