Schumacher Park will be filled with floral patterns as hundreds flock to Cloncurry’s first race meeting of the year. 

Gates will swing open at 11:30am before the first race jumps at 1:30pm.

The five-race program offers up a combined $35,000 prize-purse, with each race handing out $7000 a pop. 

Cloncurry and District Race Club’s sponsorship coordinator Hilary Simmons said they are expecting a happy-go-lucky crowd. 

“We have five races and 39 nominations,” Ms Simmons said. 

“We are really happy with that seeing as it is the first meeting of the year.

“There has been quite a bit of talk about the meeting so we are expecting in excess of 300 people.”

Two new categories have been added to fashions on the field this year. 

“We found that everyone goes to extreme lengths to get dressed up for our races, so we wanted to extend the categories so not as many people missed out,” Ms Simmons said. 

“Our new categories are Best Dressed Couple, which is nice for people who have dressed in theme with their partner.

“The other is Best Millinery,” she said.

Take a look at last year's photos to get inspired.  

The usual category prizes for the luau races will be up for grabs as well. 

Racegoers can enter Contemporary Ladies, Classic Ladies and Best Dressed Gentlemen as well as four categories for teens and kids. 

The crowd favourite novelty section will also be open to trackside fashionistas who have gone above and beyond with their outfits. 

“The novelty section is for people who go to the extreme. If someone comes dressed as a banana or a pineapple they deserve a prize,” Ms Simmons said. 

Ms Simmons said Cloncurry newcomers should head to the track to make new friends and connect with the community. 

“There are a lot of new people to town and it is a great chance for them to come and mingle and meet new people,” she said. 

The final race of the day will jump at 4:30pm, but festivities are expected to continue into the evening.