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An estimated 4,000 racegoers converged on the picturesque Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa on Saturday for the second edition of the annual Fernhill Picnic Races which coincided for the first time with Caulfield Cup Day.

The races were officially opened by Minister for Sport and Recreation, The Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, Federal Member for Lindsay, The Hon. Fiona Scott MP and Mayor of Penrith City, Clr Ross Fowler OAM.

Colour Purple takes out Fernhill Cup

The six-race program was headlined by the $15,000 Fernhill Cup which was won by the Hawkesbury-trained eight-year-old gelding Colour Purple. His jockey, John Nisbet, had recently come out of retirement and was a popular winner on the day.

Equally as popular was legendary radio and television broadcaster Ray Hadley who was perched atop a temporary tower calling the action of the races.

Picnic Race Day ambassador (former State of Origin Star and Penrith Holden Cup Coach) Trent Barrett was joined by Penrith Panthers Jamie Soward, Kevin Kingston and Jamal Idris who spent the day greeting delighted fans.

In the Luv My Bag Fashions on the Field Competition, a well-qualified panel of judges selected 10 finalists from a very well-dressed crowd. The day’s eventual winner was Chloe Bailey of Regentville who wore a floral A-line dress and stunning pastel pink headpiece. Runners-up were the 1950s inspired Deahna Bracken from Mount Annan and Fay Stevens of Marrickville.

Fernhill’s fashionistas were not the only winners on the day. Dianne Smith of Penrith won a five night trip to Hamilton Island, while Stephen Barrington of Springwood scored a corporate box for eight of his friends at an upcoming Twenty20 International at ANZ Stadium.

“Saturday was a very fitting encore to the inaugural picnic meeting last year,” said Mrs Brenda Tripp, Owner and CEO of Fernhill Estate.

“I’d like to thank everyone who visited Fernhill on Saturday and made the event the success that it was.

“We are confident that the Fernhill Picnics will continue to grow and that this is a day that the whole community looks forward to each year.”