The first gay and lesbian raceday turned into a truly Gai day at Randwick, with Sydney's premier trainer leading the celebrations.
Gai Waterhouse was at her ebullient best as an ambassador for Pink Stiletto day at Randwick, training a winner in between her duties as an MC and fashion icon.
To top it off, Nacin Dilma, who works for Waterhouse, outsprinted his rivals in the Pink Stiletto Cup for drag queens.
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"Nacin came to me from France and has been a trackwork rider for four months," Waterhouse said.
"I got the shock of my life when I saw him here today.
"This has been a great day and everyone got dressed up and into the spirit of it."
High turnout
The promotion swelled the crowd to more than 3500, some 2500 more than a normal midweek race day.
The categories for the Fashions on the Field were not clearly defined, with the Best Dressed Female and Best Dressed Male somewhat blurred.
There was also a section for the Best Dressed Racegoer, with the winners whisked away by limousine to the George Michael concert.
Pink was the predominant colour, with members of the normally staid Australian Jockey Club committee sporting pink sprayed hair and other adornments.
All the fun aside, the various luncheons and other functions raised money for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, which supports those living with HIV.
Pink Stiletto day was held in the lead-up to the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, taking place in Sydney on Saturday night.
