Seventeen finalists are vying to be the ambassador for racing in the national capital, with the winner to be announced on Sunday.

Nine of the contenders gathered at Thoroughbred Park on Friday to model outfits from Myer, with the department store declaring leather, florals, monochrome palettes and animal prints all hot trends for autumn racewear.

The winner will be the public face of racing in Canberra, including at the Black Opal Stakes on March 9 when a prize pool of $36,000 will be offered for fashion on the field.

Kristen Henry, 30, a breakfast presenter on MIX 106.3, had no trouble deciding to enter the Face of Canberra Racing contest.

''The competition for me encompassed my three favourite things - the best city in the world, style and bubbles,'' she said.

Viviana Parish, 22, is no stranger to race-day fashion - She won the fashions on the field at last year's Caulfield Cup. Her original prize was a cruise but she has since found out she'll now be attending Royal Ascot in England in June. And her fashion advice is to ''keep it simple''.

Fellow contestant Nada Ninchich, 21, of Belconnen, is in her final year of primary school teaching at the University of Canberra. ''I guess I thought it would be a bit of fun and I love dressing up,'' she said.

Marissa Briedenhann, 22, of Amaroo, became an Australian citizen last year after immigrating from South Africa in 2010. Now the human resources co-ordinator for Staging Connections, she likes to keep her racewear ''classic, stylish and demure''.

Sophie Phelan, 21, of Wanniassa, has her sights set on continuing her studies to become a doctor after completing an immunology degree at the Australian National University.

''The competition looked like so much fun and I really like helping people feel good about themselves,'' she said. ''It would be good to help other girls feel confident in what they want to wear.''

Cooma accountant Stephanie Menere, 26, says her race-day mantra is ''be a lady''.

''Obviously look to the current trends but it's about tradition,'' she said.

Stephanie Davies, 19, of Barton, who works in the Evo health club at Hotel Realm, said she wanted to further her marketing skills by promoting racing in the capital.

''My family background is very involved with fashion and since leaving school I've also been very interested in fashion,'' she said.

Model and dance teacher Emily Dibden, 20, of Cook, says race-day fashion is about expressing her creativity but keeping it classic.

''Make sure the dress is below the knees, maybe cap sleeves, no cleavage,'' she said.

While Florey student Le Tran, 35, said she entered the competition ''to boost my confidence and self-esteem''.