Vengeur Masque (pronounced ‘Von-jah Mask’) scored a surprise win in the 130th running of Geelong’s biggest race, following recent victories by Qewy (2016) and Almoonqith (2015).

Trainer Mike Moroney and the horse’s connections watched jockey Pat Moloney guide the gelding home in front of an estimated 12,000 cheering fans in the warmest sunshine of the day.

Among those watching was one canny punter, who reportedly put $5000 on the winner at $16 to win a cool $80,000.

The Geelong Racing Club also had cause to celebrate as the weather Gods and State Government smiled kindly on Geelong’s biggest party.

Club chief Daniel Salter said he hoped to have a new sand-based training track laid at the Breakwater course by Christmas after securing $1 million from Racing Minister Martin Pakula at yesterday’s meet.

“We’ve been working with Racing Victoria for a little while on that project, so it was nice to have it approved on Bet365 Geelong Cup Day,” Mr Salter said.

After arriving at the course to persistent rain at 5.30am, Mr Salter could afford to smile late yesterday afternoon as punters and partygoers packed the sold-out corporate marquees and general admission areas, where patronage was up on last year. “I’m rapt. Really proud of the team. Everyone puts in a lot of work to bring the day to fruition,” he said.

“We woke up this morning and the weather wasn’t looking too favourable, but the sun came out and a crowd came through the gates, so its been a terrific result.

“Now we’ve just got to get everybody out of here safely, and we hope everyone’s had a really good day.”

While there was only one locally-trained winner on the track yesterday (Alan Hunter’s Astro Castro in race four), Geelong talent cleaned up in the fashion stakes.

All five Fashions on the Field categories were won by hometowners, with East Geelong mum Cass Pisarskis collecting the honours in the coveted Women’s Classic Racewear contest.

But it wasn’t only on the catwalk where the fashionable feathers were flying.

Former mayors — and close political allies — Stretch Kontelj and Darryn Lyons were among those to engage in some friendly rag rage, trading tongue-in-cheek insults and taunts over each other’s clothing choices.

Mr Kontelj, now based in Guernsey, but in Geelong to support his brother Eddy’s bid for a council seat, wore an outlandish Union Jack suit that matched his wife Paula’s sequined Sporty Spice-style dress.

“I said to Darryn he’d better watch out because I’ve bought a new suit and I’ve come to take his title,” Mr Kontelj said.

Known for his distinctive dresswear, Mr Lyons was unperturbed when the Addy spotted him in the Gorell Volkswagen Parade Ring.

“I haven’t seen Stretch yet, but knowing him whatever he’s wearing will be extremely tacky ... I’ve got my Ascot stuff on today,” he said. “This is a man who used to take pride in the fact he hadn’t bought a new shirt for 20 years, and now he’s made it big in Guernsey he thinks he’s got some style.”