As dolled-up young women descended on Royal Randwick's Autumn carnival, animal protection campaigners also turned up urging punters to think about the ugly side of horse racing.
Animal rights campaigners used Saturday's Derby Day, which traditionally attracts fashion-fixated women adorned in cocktail dresses and chic hats, to protest against the racing industry's use of the whip.
In contrast to the "It Girls" who treat the trackside like a runway, a group of models appeared at Randwick with mock bruises on their thighs and arms, while holding signs saying "there's nothing fashionable about whipping horses".
Long-time animal rights campaigner and Australian actress Lynda Stoner says despite industry claims that whips in racing are used to encourage horses, its use "is nothing less than physical abuse".
"Whipping racehorses is the epitome of workplace bullying, but the horses can't object," she said in a statement.
"Horses in the racing industry are literally thrashed as they approach the finish line and big money is at stake.
"The lowest priority for the jockey is the welfare of the horse."
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