Despite a shaky start to the day and slightly deflated attendance figures, Wangaratta's Melbourne Cup race meet was deemed a success by punters trackside.
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The morning was marred by a mix-up by betting agencies that saw them declare the meeting abandoned.
It's believed the agencies initially incorrectly listed the event as a TAB meeting, before marking it as abandoned.
Tuesday's meet was the first big event since Ben Murphy and John Dight were named co-managers of the club, following the resignation of former chief executive officer Paul Hoysted.
Mr Murphy said it was a fantastic day despite its confusing start.
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"We're not sure what happened there, we did have a fair few phone calls reaching out to us, I don't think it impacted the crowd greatly but I don't think it helped," he said.
"We're really happy, we had a bit over 2000 or 2500 people. It was great to see the local support from the community."
Mr Murphy said Fashions on the Field were very successful and the public was well behaved throughout the day. He said they were expecting a very strong Christmas meet on December 14.
Mr Murphy said the renovated track provided a great surface for the races.
"We're really pleased with how the track performed after the renovation," he said
"We had horses lead and win and we had horses come from behind and win, which is the sign of a good track surface."
Trackside, punters praised the atmosphere of the meet.
Wangaratta's Steph Laywood, who won the women's Fashion on the Field category, said the Melbourne Cup Day meet was a great excuse to dress to the nines.
"I'm here every year, it's an excuse to dress up," she said.
"For me it's about the fashion, expressing yourself and doing something daring."
Sarah Vasey and her five-month-old daughter Thea Lander, travelled from Wagga to enjoy the day in matching floral outfits.
"I couldn't go to Melbourne and this is the next best thing," said Miss Vasey.
Sydney's Nichola Byrne and Melbourne's Karl Secondies were deemed the best dressed couple during the Fashions on the Field event.
Wangaratta's Jorja Lindsay won in the millinery category and another local, Wangaratta's Imogen Garland, 16, was named the best dressed girl.
Winton twins Ryan and Nicholas White, both 8, were jointly named the best dressed boy along with Taminick's James Gibson