The winning connections...(L-R) CPOPT Steve Downey and CO CMDR Bob Morrison present the winner's trophy to the connections of "Tankdeck Tornado" following the mock race meeting on HMAS Manoora, while on transit back to Australia.

The ship's company of HMAS Manoora has conducted the "Golden Op Slipper" race day with a six-event program as the 8,450-tonne warship headed for Mauritius on the way back to Australia from The Gulf.

Instead of horses, however, they raced mock camels.

Named in part from Australia's premier two-year-old race and the current Op Slipper commitment, the event saw a class field of racing camels show their form across the ship's aft flight deck.

The "members' stand" was crowded with many of the ship's 350 sailors and soldiers attending in top hats and silks.

The commanding officer, CMDR Bob Morrison was particularly colourful.

Co-ordinated on the day by CPOPT Steve Downey (aka Gai Waterhouse) and POPT Skip Stacey, mounts such as "Fighting Flatulence", "Brownoser" and "Goffa", were soon galloping down the deck.

Auction bidding for the entries in the six races soon had the bookie's bag brimming.

In the end the champion stayer "Tankdeck Tornado", owned by the joint Army/Communication syndicate, took the slipper purse by defeating all-comers and pre-race favourites.

The day was strongly supported by the ship's company and raised more than $1,200 for Legacy.

The races were followed by a traditional steel beach barbecue.

By CPOPT Steve Downey