Experienced punters, like Adam Blackadder, carefully placed his day's punts last night.
"I can't trust myself otherwise."
Plastering firm owner Brad Steele, 35, shouted his workers and contractors for the day.
"It's about relaxing in the sun with a few drinks. We come every year. You can't beat it."
One couple walked out as the first race started.
"The first thing we saw was this large lady in a short dress trotting down the grass bank. As the horses ran past, she took a tumble, and landed with her backside showing to all the world. And it's just the first race!"
Shane Warne, who was understood to have been paid $50,000 to be guest of honour, was hiding behind dark glasses most of the day. The Australian cricketing legend joked that rumours would soon be circulating that he's dating several local ladies.
"I'm sure there will be a few fun selfies and I'm sure I'm probably dating about 10 people by the end of the day as well. Hopefully there'll be a few attractive ladies here. I'm looking forward to meeting a few."
Most blokes wanted to know when and where the human body art contestants were parading.
A strong - largely male - crowd watched and cheered loudly for the heats.
In the Best Dressed Lady competition, Anna Campbell withstood strong competition to seal the title. She wore what could be best described - by a bloke at least - as a dress.
Experts later advised it was a "blue, black and white ensemble" finished off by a clutch, and was bought online.
Gunthar Rowe waltzed away with the Best Dressed Man title for his grey suit and 30s-gangster hat, accessorised with a closed umbrella. He stood out in the crowd of suit trousers and skate shoes.
The styles didn't matter at 5.15pm when the main race jumped.
One enthusiastically misguided punter lumped $10,000 on Terror To Love to win a historic fourth consecutive New Zealand Trotting Cup at fixed odds of $2.40. But the local favourite was beaten home by outsider Adore Me.
Most filed out afterwards, headed for the watering holes of Lincoln Rd, or free buses to Riccarton, and home. Some wondered what night-spot Warnie - who had been in a trendy Merivale establishment the night before - would be heading to.
But maybe he'd be all selfied out.
