Miss Stearnes also placed overall third in the National Finals.

“I can’t even believe it,” she said. “Melbourne Cup was enough for me.”

“This morning I woke up with a bit of a weird feeling. I was still pinching myself that I won the Melbourne Cup.”

Miss Stearnes said taking part in the Victorian Finals was part of winning the Melbourne Cup Fashions on the Field. 

“If you win the Melbourne Cup you have to come and compete again today,” she said.

“Today was the winner form Derby Day, Melbourne Cup and the winner from Oaks Day today. We all competed against each other for the Vic Final and then go straight through to the nationals.”

Miss Stearnes said she was over the moon to come away with three sashes. 

“I wasn’t even expecting more wins,” she said. 

While the judges took time crowning the winner, Miss Stearnes believed it was the elegance and simplicity of her dress the got her the top spot. 

“When they called out me, I was like ‘surely not?’,” she said. “I think they were looking for something fresh … I tried to portray that.”

Miss Stearnes plans to attend next year’s festivities after the 2017 success. 

“This wasn’t something that I had ever really considered before. But, the whole experience, from the moment you get there – everyone is just looking so beautiful and you get to meet so many amazing people.” 

She said the prize for winning the Victorian Fashions on the Field Finals and placing in the nationals were “very generous”. 

“We got a very, very, very, nice prize.”

She was wearing a Holly pastel Nicola Finetti ensemble. Her fascinator was the final touch to her outfit and was designed by one of her friends.