The sun came out just long enough for the ACT to enjoy a bright and colourful Black Opal Day, as Canberra splashed out despite economic uncertainty.
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Lucky Raquie lived up to its name by taking home the Black Opal Stakes, the second win in a row for jockey Glyn Schofield.
Jacquinot Bay won the Canberra Cup, ending a 26-year drought for trainer Guy Walter.
But the bookmakers were the big winners of the day, with a number saying there was a surge in betting.
''It's always busy out here, but it's busier than normal,'' said bagman Murray Lembit.
''There's been a lot less little bets compared to other years - $10 and $20 rather than $2 and $5.''
Bookmaker Roger Norton said business had been good on Black Opal Day.
''There have been a substantial number of bets, and more larger bets,'' he said.
More than 10,000 people filed into Thoroughbred Park for the big day, although numbers were down on last year by about 1600.
Chief financial officer Andrew Clark attributed the smaller turnout to the poor weather in the morning and forecast thunderstorms.
''It was a well-behaved crowd and everyone seemed to have a great day. It was held in good spirits,'' he said.
Fashions on the Field was a flurry of purples and blues, as Canberrans in their best autumn colours sweated in the early afternoon heat.
Freelance model Alice Anderson, 22, took home first prize in the women's event, dressed almost entirely by online store ASOS except for her hat, which was made by Cynthia Jones-Bryson. The Garran resident, a first-time entrant in the event, said she never expected to win.
''I went with an autumn look, with berry tones, navy and purples, in line with the Pantone colour palette of the year,'' Ms Anderson said.
Runners-up in the women's event were Zoe Krahe, 19, of Nicholls, and Kody-Leigh Hirst, also 19, of Stirling.
Software engineer Ron Soe-Win, who took home the first prize in the men's division, said he was the complete anti-stereotype for his job. ''I wasn't even going to go in, it was a last-minute thing,'' he said.
Braidwood pair Courtney Doyle and Jack McGlone won the couple's contest, in the face of some fierce competition.
Police said the race meeting had been quiet, with little trouble from the crowd and no arrests made.
''Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves,'' station sergeant Rod Anderson said. ''The weather has put everyone in a good mood.''
