A little bit of heat did not stop the crowd from flocking to the Golden Fleece Cup on Saturday in Warren. 

"Everything went very well. The track was lovely," Warren Jockey Club President Paul Smith said. 

Around 500 people from Warren, Dunedoo, Nyngan, Dubbo, and surrounds attended the annual event to watch the seven races. 

The theme this year was 'garden' and the people who wore it best were: 

• Best Dressed Lady Amy Large from Dunedoo

Amy's smart color combination and stylish accessories show why she is the best dressed lady. Photo: Harriet Gilmore.

• Best Dressed Gent Matthew Godson from Dubbo

Matthew gets a big prize for throwing on his best fit at the Golden Fleece Cup. Photo: Harriet Gilmore.

• Best Dressed Couple Shayla Saunders from Warren and Jack Finley from Nyngan

 Best dressed couple are all smiles in their matching pink outfits. Photo: Harriet Gilmore

•  Racegoers keep a close eye on their horses from inside. Photo: Harriet Gilmore.

"It was 39 degrees but it felt more like 34, so it wasn't too bad," Mr Smith said. 

Two vets were present to make sure the horses were fairing well.  "We bent over backwards to make sure the horses were well looked after," Mr Smith said. 

The hard work paid off given that the day was an all-round success. 

"Jockeys were happy, trainers were happy, stewards were happy," Mr Smith said. 

The food from Soul Food Depot & Gallery was also a sweeping hit among the guests. 

"The feedback on the food was fantastic," Mr Smith said. 

While the guests enjoyed their refreshments, the races kept everyone on the edge of their seats. 

Jake Pracey-Holmes won the $500 jockey's award sponsored by the Warren Services Club after coming in first in the 1,200m Macquarie Valley Rock and Sand Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1,200m Warren IGA and Liquor Class 1 Handicap and 1,000m Warren Services Club Benchmark 58 Handicap.

Best presented horse went to Spirit of Sainty trained by Kylie Kennedy.

Full race report by Colin Hughes

With a ride worthy of a senior jockey, apprentice Tilly McCarroll experienced the thrill of her career first winner, Order Of Merit, on Saturday at Warren.

Last early, the Kieren Hazelton, Gilgandra trained Order Of Merit steadily made ground however was still midfield in the straight.

Wearing the green and white Bowman Racing colours, Tilly drove Order Of Merit through a narrow opening on the rails to burst clear and win by two lengths from the leader Wotastatement (Zoe Hunt, $5.50) and River Rogue (Leeshelle Small, $11) in the 1600 metres All A Glow Electrical Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Clint Lundholm who trained the runner-up Wotastatement landed a winning double with Pyromania and Beechuno.

Pyromania  (Jake Pracey Holmes, $7.50) returned to form when leading throughout to beat Scorpius (Dylan Stanley, $5.50) and Sauce Dragon (Wendy Peel, $7.50) by over two lengths in the 1200 metres Macquarie Valley Rock And Sand Benchmark 58 Handicap.

In a handy spot behind the leaders, Beechuno (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $10) with a late surge won the 1200 metres Warren IGA & Liquor Class 1 Handicap by a long neck from the leader Island Rock (Wendy Peel, $5.50) with Calmundi (Michael Heagney,$11) a nose away third.

The other leg of a treble for Jake Pracey-Holmes, who won the $500 jockey challenge at Warren, was Outta De Lady in the 1000 metres Warren Services Club Benchmark 58 Handicap.

Leading most of the way, the Zach Hatch, Tamworth trained Outta De Lady ($8.50) held on for a half length win over Press Forward (Tilly McCarroll, $2.70 favourite) and Desirous (Ken Dunbar, $8.50).

Before he retired, Gilgandra trainer Leo Harland won numerous races with the good sprinter Patrick May which is now trained by his daughter Gaye-Lee Burgess.

Now the winner of eight races and placed eight times from 48 starts, Patrick May (Ashleigh Stanley, $3.20 to $2.90 favourite) was straight to the lead in the 1400 metres Egelabra Benchmark 58 Handicap and won by more than two lengths from Whataboutscotty (Michael Heagney, $7.50) and Beauty Edge (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $3.20).

The other winners were the Darren Hyde, Dubbo trained The Legal Factor (Andrew Banks, $9) and Ultra Deep (Zoe Hunt, $10) trained at Mudgee by David Smith.