Golden Slipper-bound filly Snitzerland didn’t want to have her photo taken.

She fussed and shook her head before shunning the cameras completely in favour of the tasty, spongy grass at the Rosehill racetrack.

If the two-year-old was nervous in the spotlight, she should have taken her cue from the other newcomer at the Australian Turf Club press call, Bridget Abbott.

The 19-year-old daughter of Opposition leader Tony Abbott has been selected to be an ambassador for the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival this year.

She was presented to a pack of journalists in the mounting yard on Wednesday morning to answer questions of fashion and trackside etiquette ahead of Ladies Day on Saturday, March 24.

Dressed in a black Jayson Brunsen dress and a Fiona Powell hat, she handled the scrum like a pro but insisted she didn’t take any advice from her father on how to face the media.

“You know, you hate advice from your parents,” Abbott said.

“But he’s been pretty good.”

The Sydney University student will take a break from her radiography studies to attend the major race days of the carnival.

Despite being a relative newcomer to horseracing she is excited about dressing up.

“I wouldn’t say a passion for horses but I love coming to the races and I’m hoping with more knowledge and wisdom I can develop that love,” Abbott said.

She was at Derby Day at Flemington last year when she was asked if she would be interested in acting as an ambassador for the Sydney carnival.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing what everybody steps out in,” Abbott said.

She describes her personal style as classic and simple.

“I love the black and white so Derby day will probably be my favourite fashion day.”

Stylists have been scouring the 2012 autumn/winter collections for the appropriate racewear for this year’s ambassadors, including current Mrs Australia Globe Karen Gee and Myer Fashions on the Field ambassador Nerida Winter.

Before each race day Abbott will be offered a selection of outfits from which she will be able to choose her favourite.

She said the Australian labels she loves best are Sass and Bide and Zimmermann.

For autumn she will be favouring hats over fascinators.

“The equestrian hat look is really in,” she said.

Her advice to other racegoers is to keep the look clean.

“Classic and simple, nothing too short and keep your heels on.”