A LATE downpour forced the abandonment of the last race and sent fancy fillies and dapper gents ducking for cover but it didn't stop Ladies Day at Traralgon being hailed a huge success.
More than 4000 people turned out to the track _ up almost 500 on last year.
Latrobe Valley Racing Club manager Brendan Blackshaw said crowds were in celebratory mode.
``It was very much a party atmosphere, there were lots of young people and it was quite jovial,'' Mr Blackshaw said.
The last race of the day was cancelled after it was deemed too dangerous to race because of thunder and lightning.
Bright hues and loud prints dominated the ladies line-up in Fashions on the Field, but black and white with a splash of colour also caught the judges' eyes.
Fashionista Catherine Noy from Moe took out the open category in a bright and colorful ensemble, complete with a pale bolero with a ruffled trim and a dainty red parasol. Jessica Nethercote from Traralgon took out runner-up.
Diamond on the Field was awarded to Lynette James, Longwarry's Warren James won best dressed male and the most strapping couple was Morwell's Gemma Wilson and Carlo Pizzi.
Mr Blackshaw said the club would now gear up for Cup Day on 13 December.