AFTER taking last year off, the Marthaguy Picnic Races in Quambone saw a record turnout over the weekend.

Around 550 people - including committee members, sponsors, officials and spectators - made their way to the Quambone Racecourse on Saturday 8 May to cheer on the ponies across the five race program.

Though many of the horses and their trainers came from a wide region, the main race of the day - the Marthaguy Picnic Cup - was won by Zoutenant which is part-owned by the local Whitehead family.

Peter and Gordon Whitehead were in attendance on the day to watch Zoutenant cross the line and both said they were pleased to see the eight-year-old bay gelding do so well.

"It feels very, very good - we're very happy - the same horse won the Come By Chance Cup two years ago and now he's won the Quambone Cup," Peter Whitehead said.

"It beats retirement - following this, he'll be heading to Carinda and probably Come-by and things like that, and then he'll probably be eligible for the big Dubbo Picnic Race in October."

"It's a credit to him - he's won about 10 cups before this," Gordon Whitehead added.

Both Whiteheads were also impressed with the rest of day's proceedings. Gordon Whitehead said he had been to many Quambone races before but ranked this year as one of its best.

"It's been fantastic compared to all the other times I've been here - they've done a marvellous job to keep it going," he said.

"They were very lucky with the rain to have the races this year but there's been a good crowd and a very good committee - thanks also to the sponsors because without them you get nothing," Peter Whitehead added.

Other races on the day were won by different horses - Combogolong, Renzulli, Boys Home and Bizarro respectively - though each were ridden by the same jockey.

Winner of the NSW Premiership for Picnic riders last racing season Maddison Wright said she was proud of each of her four victories at Quambone, particularly the one won by a horse she co-owns.

"These really far west tracks are always really good days - the club always makes sure the jockeys and everyone is looked after, it's really good," Ms Wright said.

"It feels really good to win though - all my horses went really well on this surface today. I own Boys Home so I was a bit nervous on him and the pressure was on so I'm really happy he did well."

The annual Fashions on the Field competition was also a highlight of the day, judged by Stephanie Ryan and Christine Pointing. 

Male and female winners of the junior fashions were announced after the fourth race to be Liam Lehnen and Adelaide Turnbull.

As for the seniors, Best Dressed Lady went to Lynne Waterford, Best Dressed Gent went to Chris O'Brien, Best Millinery went to Michelle Myers, Most Innovative went to Jean Littlewood and Miss Marthaguy went to Alex Hamblin.

President of the Marthaguy Picnic Race Club Doug Andrews said he had been thrilled with how the day had gone overall 

"The Fashions on the Field were absolutely fantastic, there were some beautiful outfits - one specific highlight for me though was that we had two life memberships given out, one for me and one to Larry Garnsey which was just unreal," Mr Andrews said.

"I think we've had an absolute cracker of a day - we've had a really good crowd this year - I just want to say thank you to all the people on the committee for putting on such a good weekend."