Jockey David Crossland powered home on the appropriately named Accolade just millimetres ahead of A Known Fact ridden by Shane Morris and owned by Kerry Bennett.

The race was initially called in favour of A Known Fact but after careful scrutiny of the photograph, Accolade was given the honours by the minimum of margins.

Mrs Bennett was philosophical after the race.

“It’s hard when you think you have won and then you’re told you haven’t,” she said with a smile.

“If only he’d stuck his big boof head out a bit more on the line.”

Apart from Race 1, which was won by Sunqualo by over three lengths, all of the races were close finishes.

Race 2 was taken out by brown gelding Bar Bender ridden by David Crossland who went on to make it a double in Race 3.

Race 4, the Payless Timbers Open Handicap over 1100m,was another closely contested outing with Hobson’s Choice, ridden by Grant Lemos, on the money by a head.

Atherton Turf Club Secretary Angela Daniel said the track was classified as good and the cool, clear but windy weather attracted about 300 people.

“Not a bad turnout for a four-race meeting,” she said.

Mrs Daniel said the idea of the annual Harvest Day was to showcase local primary produce.

“The Atherton Tablelands is a strongly viable, self-sufficient agricultural area and the day gives local growers the opportunity to be involved. They are so generous and they do this every year. It’s a wonderful concept,” she said.

At the end of the races, patrons take home a selection of fruit including pineapples, bananas, hydroponic lettuce, macadamias, chokos, limes, mangoes, pawpaws and avocadoes, all donated by Tableland producers. The local drop is not forgotten either, with Nerada tea, Mount Uncle Distillery and Debruey’s Boutique Wines on offer during the day.

*More photos in this week’s North Queensland Register, out Thursday.