Jess Cavanough, the daughter of Albury horse trainer Brett Cavanough, looked fabulous in her hot-pink dress and headpiece.

Miss Cavanough received the $1000 top prize with 1000 votes, 99 votes ahead of runner-up Wodonga’s Jake Robertson, who won $250.

The cash is a belated present for the Trinity College student’s 18th birthday last week.

She bought her dress at Albury’s Lookbook Boutique in November.

“I borrowed the headpiece,” she said.

“I had school exams that week, so I didn’t put much thought into my outfit.

“I knew bright colours were in and our racing colours are pink.”

Miss Cavanough was placed third in 2012, with 679 votes for her black outfit.

She said her dad’s racing and football community friends probably were responsible for her 1000 votes.

There were 10,048 votes, about 1000 more than last year.

It was the first time in the competition’s six years that a man has placed in the top two.

Mr Robertson, 21, an employee at men’s store Roger David, didn’t have to look far for his outfit.

He snapped up a textured navy suit from work two days before the event and was a little worried he would see the same suit on other men at the track.

“There was a guy wearing the same suit but, luckily, he wasn’t anywhere near my marquee, so it was OK,” he said.

Mr Robertson styled the suit with a floral tie and polka dot shirt.

Former Wodonga resident Georgie King, who is studying in Melbourne, is also a winner. She picked up $250 in the random draw.

Miss King said she had voted for her good friend Mr Robertson.