Hat's off to ladies with style
It may have been a washout of a week but the rain amazingly stayed away when women from the Black Country stepped out in their finest attire for Ladies Day at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Heavy rain has created a headache for staff at the all-weather racecourse - and hit profits for its owners Arena Leisure.
But all that was forgotten for Ladies Day yesterday, when the rain stayed away and there was even a hint of sunshine.
Kerry Wafer from Featherstone caught the mood with a fun cream and pink feathered headpiece.
She was one of hundreds of ladies dressed to impress at the event. Amanda Thomas, marketing manager at Wolverhampton Racecourse, said: "We were so relieved that the weather held out.
"Ladies Day is always great fun and we have a Ladies Evening on August 31 which we are also looking forward to."
Shares in Arena Leisure plunged on the Stock Market yesterday after the firm revealed how badly it had been hit by the awful weather.
The uncertain weather did nothing to dampen the fashion flair of the female racing fans who turned out in their sunshine outfits.And while Ascot suffered heavy showers last week, it didn't rain on the Wolverhampton parade as the morning's showers cleared away in time for the sun to shine down on the glamorous afternoon event.
A flutter of betting mixed with high fashion, as hundreds turned out for the first Ladies Day of the season. Colourful frocks were a popular choice with many of the ladies, as were headturning feathered fascinators of all shapes and sizes.
Among those enjoying the day at the races was Express & Star reader Beverley Smith of Brierley Hill who won a Ladies Day competition in the newspaper's Woman supplement for herself and three friends.
She said they enjoyed their prize, which included a three-course meal in the new panaromic viewing restaurant, Horizons, at the racecourse.
Racegoers were certainly dressed to impress yesterday as there were special competitions for the Best Hat, Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Couple.
Amanda Thomas, marketing manager at Wolverhampton Racecourse, hailed the day a success, adding: "We're really pleased with the turnout and also pleased to see an improvement in the weather."