Around 15,000 punters have descended on Trentham Raceway for the annual Wellington Cup.
While there was the usual glitz and glamour off the track, on it it was Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne who stole the show.
"It's great," she says. "I've got my dad here with me. He's born and raised in Taranaki, so it's awesome to be able bring him and be over here."
Payne's win at Flemington last year was not only memorable but historic too – she was the first female ever to do so.
"Everyone's said to me, 'Why don't you give it away now that you've won the Melbourne Cup?'"
The answer's simple; she loves her job and she loves paving the way for female jockeys.
Watch the video for the full 3 News report.
