Flash: Seen at Mercedes Derby Day

Mercedes Derby Day, the start of Auckland Cup week. Photo / Norrie Montgomery.

Grey skies and high winds weren't enough to dampen the spirits of revellers at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday, when the Mercedes Derby Day marked the beginning of Auckland Cup Week.

The bad weather made for an exciting day's racing as many favourites underperformed on the heavy track and long shots ran home for the win.

Highlight: Seeing the incredible lengths women - and the odd man - go to to compete in the fashion stakes. Custom-made hats and designer pieces from as far away as Europe are par for the course.

Lowlight: The small group of people who saw the day as an excuse to drink to excess, falling off their chairs, destroying table centrepieces and shouting profanities throughout the fashion parade proceedings.