Matthew Hayden’s daughter Grace on track as ambassador for the Birdsville Races

She’s a Channel 7 personality and the daughter of an Australian cricket great – and now she’s on the track to promote the iconic Birdsville Races this weekend.

Wearing her dad’s black Akubra, Grace Hayden swats away what she has just learnt the Birdsville locals call “outback sultanas”.

The Channel 7 personality and daughter of Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden is the ambassador of the iconic Birdsville Races with the 142nd edition set to draw in a crowd of 6000 to the tiny town this weekend.

“I’m really leaning into the country theme out here, I’m not afraid to take on the cowgirl boots or cowgirl hat,” Grace, who will judge the event’s fashion on the field competitions, said.

Channel 7 personality and daughter of cricket great Matthew, Grace Hayden is in Birdsville to judge the race’s fashion on the field competitions. Photo: Matt Williams.

Channel 7 personality and Birdsville Races ambassador Grace Hayden with horse Thumper. Photo: Matt Williams.

“I stole dad’s hat, he said ‘if you break this I’m going to be upset’.”

The racing broadcaster said she was lucky to get her start at the Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival paving a path to the glowing red sand of the Simpson Desert in Carla Zampatti.

“The vibes here are incredible, everyone getting amongst it, meeting new friends, not afraid to just come up to you and have a yarn,” she said, sitting out front of the Birdsville Hotel.

“It’ll be interesting to see the different sort of fashion that comes from Melbourne Cup, or the Sydney Racing Carnival to then your country racing so I’m keen to see how everyone takes it on.”

Grace Hayden is the daughter of cricket legend Matthew. Picture: Adam Head

Cricket might be in her blood but Grace said her move into the sport was unexpected.

“I never actually played cricket. I always thought, no, ‘that’s dad’s thing’,” she said, saying she also inherited an “ultra competitive” streak from “old mate”.

“I’ve got past that now and I’ve always loved the game so to be able to work on it and work with him, it’s just such an honour.

“I’ve grown up in front of the camera, being dad’s daughter, but to then take it on, in my own terms has been amazing.”

Adelaide's Tiara Ladju and Kylie Huppatz show off their hats ahead of the Birdsville Races. Picture: Jessica Ball

Melbourne Cup of the outback

Onesies, dishevelled suits and giant inflatable roosters have hit the catwalk as the mercury hit 35 degrees on day one of the iconic Birdsville Races in remote Queensland.

The tiny town’s only cop senior constable Stephan Purcell led the way, striking a Charlie’s Angels inspired pose with backup from Mount Isa in the hotly contested novelty section of the fashions on the field competition.

Around 6000 punters are expected to trek from across the country for the two day race meet affectionately known as the Melbourne Cup of the outback.

A group of eight mates crossed the finish line in first place. Picture: Jessica Ball

It was a group of eight mates some 1800km from home – Gordon and Kyabram in regional Victoria – donning stuck-on moustaches, sombreros and matching shirts who crossed the finish line in first place.

By their second strut down the catwalk the crowd had been showered with lollies from their cactus and donkey piñatas but it remains unclear if the judging panel led by Grace Hayden, Channel 7 media personality and daughter of Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden, were bribed with tacos.

“We’re from south of the border so that’s why we’re called the Mexicanos,” fashion on the field winner Fiona Williams from Gordon said.

“It’s hot, we thought we go for the whole Mexican, Hawaiian theme

“It feels awesome, we didn’t think we would, there was some great competition and it is absolutely awesome to win.

“I think it was bribing the judges with the taco kits that did it.”