Guests dressed up and enjoyed the afternoon with a buffet luncheon while listening to live music by Jeff Fitzgerald.

Guests also played games and participated in sweeps before watching the race that stopped the nation at 3pm on the big screen.

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There was also a hat parade, raffles and prizes.

There were plenty of events around the Lithgow region getting people into the racing spirit including a champagne breakfast and best dressed competition at the Lithgow Workies and a function at Portland RSL with a competition for 'best hat' and 'loudest shirt'.

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