Organisers of this year's race have persevered through the pandemic to deliver Katherine at least one of its major social events for 2020.

They still have to meet stringent guidelines however to satisfy Health Department officials social distancing can be preserved on the day.

As such, the prestigious 'Fashion on the Field' competition will operate through a photographer this year.

"We will have a photographer at the event, and contestants can come to them between races to have their photo taken," Katherine Turf Club's PR manager Tia Solloway said.

"When they come over they'll be asked whether they are above or below thirty.

"We're still arranging the best space for the images to ensure everybody gets the same light and it's all fair.

"But the USB full of photos will then be passed over to the judges to deliberate over the course of an hour or so.

"This will allow us to announce the winners in the afternoon," she said.

Who exactly the judges will be is still as-yet unconfirmed, but with the race day rapidly approaching patrons can expect an announcement in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Katherine Turf Club president Paul Mullins' attention is now squarely fixed on ensuring the races' future through a safe, clean event.

Mr Mullins says crowd behaviour on the day will influence the race's future.

"Social distancing is what we need to push, and the photo booth way of doing a fashion contest is a safer way to ensure social distancing," he said.

"We've gotten this far, but now we need to really watch and make sure we get it all right.

"If we can put on a good, safe event like we have in past years, then that puts the race in a really good position going forward," Mr Mullins said.

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