KEY POINTS:
While some of the country's top horses compete for more than $700,000 in prize money at the annual Boxing Day races, a competition of an entirely different sort is taking place off the Ellerslie race track.
Traditionally Auckland's heritage race day, the Boxing Day races signal the start
of the New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival. More than 25,000 people are expected through the gates for the carnival's three days.
Not everyone, of course, is there for the horses. The off-track highlight, Deutz Fashions in the Field, has already attracted more than 200 entrants.
This is the competition where frocks, frills and flounces face Auckland's fickle weather. Although women and hats are the traditional focus, expect a strong showing too from the male contestants.
Six categories will be contested this year, with a total prize pool of more than $65,000. The Deutz Supreme Award, for the overall winner, includes a one-year lease of a Mercedes-Benz C180K sports coupe, a Deutz ultimate experience and other luxury prizes.
Chief judge Francis Hooper from fashion house World said he was looking for something novel.
"We're looking for new shapes, new silhouettes - something that is still very beautiful and relevant to racing, but something that's fresh and new, not the same old suit or cocktail dress that we've seen for so many years."
Among those taking part is Robbie Harrison, who attended his first race meet this month at Ellerslie's Twilight races.
The 27-year-old sales consultant entered the Stars & Studs fashion competition on a lark, walking away with the top prize with his all-black ensemble assembled in "five minutes".
This time he's taking it quite seriously, concentrating on a more "left-field look". "Nothing too common like the black-on-black thing, which is quite boring. And it's been done so many times before."
Mr Harrison has already bought a new Italian suit - charcoal - but is giving few other details away.
"I've got a few secrets up my sleeve."
Back your sense of elegance and you'll have the inside running
Herald assistant editor Janetta Mackay will be a judge at Fashions in the Field. She recommends what not to wear:
Do not, please, come dressed like a cast member of 1980s TV show Gloss.
There's something about the races that brings out weird, lost-in-time, fashions. Too tight, too short, too loud.
Get it right at Ellerslie today and you'll be in for a bigger collect than from a trifecta on track. The annual Boxing Day fashion competition promises prizes totalling $65,000 and you can enter on course this morning.
Raceday fashions are a world of their own - don't get confused and do mother-of-the-bride, club cutie with after-dark decolletage, or spiv in a suit - the basic rules are simple: well shod, well groomed.
Elegance may be an old-fashioned word, but it will be the winner on the day. But the judging panel, headed by designer Francis Hooper of World, will want to be wowed.
More than 200 competitors are expected in Fashions in the Field, with the alfresco runway being as much a draw for some of the crowd as the horses over the way. The winner of the Deutz Supreme Award has automatic entry in the even more lavishly rewarded Mercedes Prix de Fashion event during Auckland Cup Week next March.
If finery isn't your thing, take a seat in the stands and watch the horses.
With more than 25,000 people expected through the gates for the week of summer racing which winds up on New Year's Day, there'll be plenty to look at, whatever your style.
