LADIES Evening at Salisbury races last Friday proved a winner with punters, with a bumper crowd of more than 6,000 turning out to support the six-race meeting.

The crowd of 6,100 was a record attendance for an evening meeting at Salisbury racecourse and was a 57 per cent increase on last year's corresponding evening meeting, which was attended by 3,875 people. And the success of the event left clerk of the course Jeremy Martin and his team with smiles on their faces.

"We were all delighted with the evening. It was a winner in every way," Mr Martin told Journal Sport.

"We were particularly pleased with the size of the crowd, which is the best any can recall for an evening meeting here at Salisbury. I think this is probably down to us making it a ladies evening and all the marketing that accompanied it.

"The ladies looked marvellous in their hats and finery and the only thing that was missing was the sunshine. But at least it didn't rain."

The first of the evening's races, the 6.35 Axminster Carpets Apprenctice Handicap was won by David Kinsella on 7-1 shot Magic Maid, with Other Routes (7-1) in second place and Theatre Lady (10-1) third.

And there was success for Derby winner Kieren Fallen, when he rode 7-4 Mubeen to victory in the 8.35 EBF Ladies Evening Classified Stakes. Jay Gee's Choice was placed 2nd at 11-2 and Sharplaw Venture 3rd at 5-2.

Other results: 7.05 Axminster Carpets Nursery Handicap Stakes - 1, Scotch 'N Dry (S. Hitchcott) 7-2; 2, Love Triangle 4-1; 3, City General 11-1. 7.35 George Smith Horseboxes EBF Maiden Stakes - 1 Matt Blanc (Pat Dodds) 13-2; 2, Danish Monach 11-1; 3, Zazous 11-4. 8-05 Wilton Graphics Handicap Stake - 1, Anticipating (Matyin Dwyer) 6-1, 2, Laggan Bay 16-1, 3, Maedance 14-1. 9.05 Wilton Shopping Village Maiden Fillies' Stakes - 1, Aegean Magic (Ryan Moore) 10-1; 2, Milly Fleur 9-4; 3, Dancing Nelly 33-1.

Tomorrow Salisbury racecourse will be hosting another six-race meeting, starting at 2.20pm.