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Spring in their step: punters out in force for Caulfield Cup

The sky is blue and the fascinators are pinned on tight as a windy beginning kicks off celebrations at the 2016 Caulfield Cup.

Thousands of racegoers are pouring into Caulfield Racecourse. Navy blue suits are favoured for men while ladies are opting for floral dresses in pastel colours, helping give the impression that, after weeks of rain, spring has finally hit Melbourne.

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Caulfield Cup: fashions on the field out, photo competition in

Melbourne Racing Club changed things at Caulfield Cup this year, ditching the iconic fashions on the field events their for social media friendly 'style stakes'.

Shaking things up in the fashion stakes this year, organisers have forgone the traditional fashions on the field catwalk.

This year's event will see the catwalk replaced with a photo-based competition, which organiser Melbourne Racing Club hopes will open the field to more competitors and bring the competition into the digital age.

Elyse Knowles (left) talks with Nadia Bartel.
Elyse Knowles (left) talks with Nadia Bartel. Photo: Scott Barbour

Fashion Ambassador Nadia Bartel will be judging this year's winner, with Nadia opting for a clean, white number with red lips and a hat.

But what will the reaction be from Melbourne's most dedicated fashions stakes competitors?

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Some had threatened to boycott the competition at Caulfield Racecourse this year over changes to the format and a radical decrease in the value of the prize pool from $60,000 to $10,000.

Em Scodellaro, who has entered more than 80 fashions on the field events across Australia, almost didn't turn up to the race, after she cancelled her Melbourne Racing Club membership in anger.

A racegoers hair blows in the strong winds.
A racegoers hair blows in the strong winds. Photo: Scott Barbour

After meeting with MRC and deciding to give her feedback on the new-look competition, Ms Scodellaro went all out in a stunning navy Scanlan Theodore dress, and black bird-featured fascinator by Jill and Jack Millinery.

"I got here pretty early, I came in, they touched up my makeup and then had my photos," she said.

Adam Goodes and Jimmy Bartel.
Adam Goodes and Jimmy Bartel.  Photo: Scott Barbour

"My dress is very 3-D so it didn't really capture that in the photos. I chose the three best photos and I really enjoyed having my illustration done and it's a great atmosphere in here."

So why did she throw in the towel and head along on Saturday?

Racegoers have makeup applied inside the David Jones Fashion Stable.
Racegoers have makeup applied inside the David Jones Fashion Stable. Photo: Scott Barbour

"When I came and spoke to the MRC they said they wanted to have some feedback after the event, and I can't provide feedback unless I actually experience it.

"So I was happy to come along, enjoy the day out and it wasn't about winning the competition, it's just about enjoying myself with my friends."

Illustration: Matt Golding
Illustration: Matt Golding 

David Jones Fashion Stables creative producer Valentina Jovanoska said it was an exciting brief and she wanted to make sure the fashion arena was open and enjoyable for everyone.

"The absolute focus this year was to provide a great space that's free entry and everyone can experience and engage in it," David Jones Fashion Stables creative producer Valentina Jovanoska said.

A social media element to the competition was hoped to help encourage young people to enter.

"The Westfield Style Stakes has allowed the young people to come in and get the instant gratification that they're after and the beauty about it is they can control the way they look," she said.

David Jones Fashion Shows ran throughout the day, attracting a crowd of celebrities including Jesinta Campbell and Nadia Bartel.

Kicking off with an ode to Nick Cave, the models provided an exciting incite into what to expect for the rest of Melbourne's Spring Carnival.

Donning an enormous 1.5kg hand-made work of art atop her head, Zorza Goodman was hard to miss.

She spent two months putting together her Claude Monet-inspired outfit, and creating the enormous crowd-stopping headpiece that had everyone talking.

"You don't see plus size girls at the races that have gone all out. Plus size girls should know that they can come to the races and stand out like any person," Ms Goodman, a proud size 22, said.

Inspired by French impressionist painter Claude Monet, Ms Goodman spent two months creating her head piece and hand-made skirt.

"It's recycled plastics, hand-painted, so there's pigment throughout it," she said.

"My skirt is Dolce and Gabbana fabric, I purchased it on the cheap because it's got faults through it."