The dust didn't get in the way of people spinning yarns, having a punt or enjoying a refreshment for the 136^th annual Carrathool Races.

Russell Hogan has been training gallopers since the 1980s but on the weekend, he won his first Rivcott Carrathool Cup.

Cooee March ran home in front of Class Clown on Saturday. Mr Hogan's said it was a "pleasure to win". 

"It's not easy to win, even though there's only seven horses (in the race), but they're seven handy horses," he said.

Mr Hogan said he'd been "very fortunate" because Cooee March had now won $70,000 in prizemoney.

While luck was part of it, he also came down to putting plenty of work into it.

On Saturday, they travelled from far and wide, with Kate Hammond travelling from Melbourne.

"Some of my friends come from up here. They came here last year and they said it was the one of the best country race meetings of the year," Miss Hammond said.

"It's a great excuse for a catch-up."

Young's Emma Wells made the journey to join the Fashions on the Field judging panel.

Ms Well said she was looking for people who had paid close attention to current trends while also letting their personality shine through in their styling choices.

Under the shade, bookie Sam Jones has been travelling to Carrathool for 25 years when they would call the last of the 'boughshed bets'.

While enjoying the day, Mr Jones said it had become tougher of late with corporate bookmakers and mobile phones putting the squeeze on smaller bookies.

READ MORE

It's not all horse racing, there's also the Jillaroo Sprint and Jackaroo Dash.

Carrathool's Charlee Masters has won the sprint in 2017 and 2018 and was looking to pick up a hat-trick on Saturday.

She said the races were positive for the area.

"It attracts a big crowd and it's good for the town," Miss Masters said.

Unfortunately, Miss Masters was pipped at the post by Lockhart's Courtney Menzies, while Hay's Liam Headon won the Jackaroo Dash.

Sign up here to get a our free, weekly newsletter every Monday at 6am.