By GARRY HOWE AND DANIELLE GALVIN
THERE was a royal flair in the air at the Centrebet Pakenham Cup on Sunday, as champion mare Black Caviar’s owners rolled into town.
Her owners were welcomed as the special guests of the Cup and the Pakenham Racing Club staged the tribute handicap race in the mare’s honour, led into town in a cavalcade by the Kooweerup Secondary College band.
But the real winners of the day were Tasmanian-based trainers David and Scott Brunton, jockey Ben Knobel and five-year-old horse Banca Mo, who led the side to victory in the final lengths of the Pakenham Cup.
Owners Jannene and Colin Madden, Pam and Barry Hawkes and Kerrin and Garry Wilkie were all dressed to the nines too and still riding high from the win at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
“From Mooney Valley on Friday to Royal Pakenham today,” Mr Wilkie said.
And of course the fillies in the Silverwater Resort Fashions on the Field event were also winners – and provided just as much entertainment as the racing on the track behind them.
Lady of the Day winners were Rebecca Branca, Crystal Kimber and Latoyah James.
Originally from Cora Lynn, Ms Branca now owns Bettie’s Boutique in Mornington.
Jenny Beard from Langwarrin South was named the Mature Lady of the Day alongside sisters Rosalyn Czermak and Carol Hendrick, who came in second and third places respectively.
The next category for the day was the Best Dressed Local, and the winner was the ever-enthusiastic Bunyip woman Lydia Marson.
She entered the event to help promote her sister’s business, Erin Bridget Millinery, which is run out of Erin’s home in Narre Warren South.
Mr Kafel, who won the Best Dressed Gentleman, came second in this category and Lynette James came third.
In the Best Dressed Gentleman category, Michael Kafel, Warren James and Ben Carbonaro were the three respective winners.
