For women's fashions on the field winner Candice Himsley, the race day was the perfect opportunity to dress up for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Himsley, of Gundowring, impressed judges in purple to take out the sash for the first time.

"I saw the dress and loved it so I found some accessories to go with it," she said.

Ms Himsley has been attending the annual race day since moving from West Wyalong four years ago.

"We're rural so this is our opportunity to get out and about," she said.

"It's the biggest event for this area, so we try and attend to make a day of it and support our community."

Men's fashions on the field winner Barry Flynn, of Tawonga, stood out in the crowd in traditional Scottish formal wear.

"This is what you wear to the races, not a pair of shorts and thongs," he said.

Tawonga's Nina Alexander was lucky enough to back three winners for the day, however missed out in the cup.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"It's a really good event and it's nice to see lots of people here," she said.

Dederang Picnic Race Club president Marcus Goonan said around 1600 racegoers attended this year's event, with numbers up on the previous race meet.

"The crowd's a long way up on what it was last year," he said.

"We got it in just before COVID and it really dinted the crowd because no one knew what was happening or if they should come.

"It's great to see everyone back and enjoying the day."

Mr Goonan said the club was able to hold up to 2000 patrons under COVID-19 restrictions, with more volunteers needed this year to help facilitate changes.

"We really spent a lot of time on our COVID plan to make sure we could deliver those things people like turning up to the races for," he said.

"We've got a really supportive community and we're able to then help fund some of the other surrounding clubs.

"Our motto is very much the fact that it's run by the community for the community."

The first Dederang Picnic Races was held in 1865 and since then it has only been missed on five occasions.

Cryfowl took out the feature race of the day.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: