‘Wow!’ is the most appropriate word to describe last night, the second heat of the Myer Face of Canberra Racing competition held at Siren Bar & Restaurant in Gungahlin.

This time we had 27 ladies show up and strut their stuff on the catwalk, each competing for a spot in the final.

The girls, much like last week, were dressed in their best race-wear with matching accessories and perfectly primped hair and makeup. It is safe to say once again that our job, as judges, was very hard! How do we pick just eight?

This time, Edwina from Siren Bar & Restaurant joined Laura Edwards, Erin Barry, Kate Goodwin and myself on the judging panel. In the end – after comparing all our notes and scores – we chose nine ladies whose overall ‘package’ of style, personality and poise were spot on.

For the ladies coming to the final or who would like to enter (or even re-enter) next year, here are the important tips to remember and the key criteria we are looking out for:

Dress
Your dress must be far from what you would wear to a nightclub. Be sure that it fits your body shape, is contemporary and suitable for the racecourse with a hem-line that sits just about (or below) the knee. Sophistication, class and elegance is key.

Shoes
Your shoes should not only match your outfit and be appropriate for the races… they should also be comfortable for you to be able to last in them all day. A few no-no’s include stilletto’s (which will have you sinking into the grass) and peep-toe shoes with stockings (never a good look).

Hair & Make-up
Your hair should be neatly styled and matched to suit your headwear and your makeup should be neat and fresh and not too dark or heavy.

Accessories
If you are going to the races you must wear a headpiece of some kind – a hat or fascinator are the most appropriate for this competition. You are the face, the role model for other race goers who are looking for inspiration and outfit ideas.

Your accessories should also match your entire outfit For example, make sure that your shoes, clutch, fascinator and dress all tie in together and are the exact same shade or from the same colour palette.

So we have 17 lovely ladies left to show us one last time why they are the perfect Face for Canberra Racing. The final is being held at Thoroughbred Park on Sunday 23 February.

The winner will receive cash and prizes totalling over $15,000 including a modelling portfolio by the Mark Agency, training and representation by Victoria’s Models, $1000 cash, MYER gift cards and a beautiful crystal vase trophy. Most importantly the winner will be the MYER Face of Canberra Racing, which will mean she will be seen in all the right places for the next 12 whole months.

Good luck ladies, see you in two weeks!

Don’t forget to VOTE in the OutInCanberra Favourite Face competition. The winner will receive a wild-card spot in the final on Sunday 23 February.

A big thank you to Zoe Brown, designer and owner of label WND.LND, for styling me in one of your fabulous flower crowns.