A female jockey and trainer duo has claimed victory at the iconic Birdsville race meet, which kicked off despite an outback deluge threatening to wash out the event.
The two-day meeting had to be postponed and cut back to one day after heavy rain but a revised schedule and clean-up of the water-logged track ensured races could get underway on Sunday.
A highlight was the Birdsville Cup (1600m), contested by a 10-horse field, which was won by Darwin-based jockey Kayla Cross on the Heather Lehmann-trained More Alpha.
The all-female win was the first of its kind in 134 years.
Lehmann said the victory was a welcome Father's Day present, given initial reservations about the animal's competitiveness.
"This horse was a bit trying earlier on. I was keen to sell it but it's my husband's favourite, so we kept him and I persevered, he's come good," she said.
It came after bobcats tended to the track right up until an hour before races got underway to make sure it was fit for the event, Birdsville Race Club president Gary Brook said.
He said some spectators had to leave their cars a kilometre away because the car park was still underwater, while others snagged a lift on a helicopter.
Some 1500 racegoers also enjoyed a phantom meeting at the track on Saturday, complete with betting and Fashion on the Fields competitions.
Birdsville's population is listed as 115 but swells to more than 7000 over the popular race weekend.
