Charity fundraiser safe bet for serious race fun

SMART MOVE: The Melbourne Cup is the perfect opportunity for punters to get their glad rags on. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

After the game that stopped a nation, Bay locals have had just a few sleeps until the race that stops a nation.

Bay punters feeling on a winning streak after Sunday's Rugby World Cup win may be on a Quest For More to win a Trip to Paris, United States or Bondi Beach - four of the 24 horses in the Melbourne Cup field which might attract racegoers at the Melbourne Cup celebrations at Tauranga Racecourse today.

More than two hundred locals have pre-purchased seats at the new charity event organised by Tauranga Rotary Club.

One of the organisers, Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell, said she was sure New Zealand's current feel-good factor from the rugby would add to today's festivities.

EXCITED: Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell with one of the horses at the Tauranga racecourse.

"Perhaps punters will get behind the New Zealand horses. My personal favourite is Who Shot The Barman - owned by family.

"The atmosphere will be fantastic and I'm sure the betting will be a major part of the buzz of the day with the Calcutta and Sweepstake activities livening up the day."

At the event, as well as the traditional Melbourne sweepstakes, punters will partake in "posh nosh", Fashion in the Field, a Best Fascinator competition and live entertainment from local band Kokomo.

Guest speakers are world rowing champions Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie who are both representing New Zealand at the Rio Olympics next year.

Blair Cashmore will lead the bidding on a live auction with items up for grabs including a Classic Flyers flight; Volcanic Hills Winery evening experience for six; Somerset Cottage Cook School for up to six people; a Farmer Motor Group/Mondo Travel car, and a golf and accommodation weekend. All proceeds will go to local charities Tauranga St John Ambulance, Tauranga SPCA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The event will be MCed by The Hits Bay of Plenty radio host Will Johnston.

Fashion in the Field will be judged by Bernadette Rowlands, owner of High Street Boutique, and Natalie Bridges, director of Blink PR and former editor of Simply You and Simply Living magazines, and NZME magazines editor Annemarie Quill.

What to wear:

? True race wear is unique. It should be fashionable but feminine and elegant and, most importantly, it is daywear, not evening wear.

? If you'd wear it to an evening event and it's covered in bling it's most likely the wrong choice.

? The big days of racing call for hats, heels and handbags.

? Race wear can be fun, flirty and glamorous but it should still have an element of elegance.

? Don't forget to make the most of gorgeous matching accessories.

Source: trac.co.nz