Coonamble's middle of March madness got even crazier with the Country Championships Qualifier Race Meeting having to be split in half after rain stopped the meeting on Sunday afternoon 14 March.

Just two of the nine races were run before jockeys and officials voted to call a halt to racing.

A crowd of 500 had assembled and were visibly enjoying themselves despite the showery conditions. Many chose to carry on the festivities at the racecourse or by adjourning to local pubs and clubs for the remainder of the afternoon.

The Coonamble Jockey Club's official luncheon and the Fashions on the Field both went ahead.

At the luncheon Western Racing Association Chairman Andrew Schier welcomed approximately 80 sponsors, Country Racing delegates, Racing NSW officials and invited guests to the Brian Fletcher stand and acted as master of ceremonies.

Former residents and supporters of local racing Rob Clayton, Managing Director of Nutrien Ag Solutions in Australia, and Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher, were guest speakers at the event.

Mr Clayton told focused on the importance of corporate sponsorship to regional events and small towns.

"Don't dismiss this," Mr Clayton said. "Small towns like this die without this money and without your support."

"You are helping to keep these towns economically alive and socially alive."

He also acknowledged the efforts of the Coonamble Jockey Club and the local businesses, groups and volunteers who contribute to running the activities that keep Coonamble kicking.

"It can be a pretty tough district to live in," Mr Clayton said. "And maybe you've lived in small towns all your life and you think this stuff just happens - it doesn't."

"I've never visited another town who makes it happen like it does here."

Mr Fletcher followed with an outline of his latest initiative to raise funds for the Coonamble Cancer Survival Fund by hosting an event at Panthers on the coming June Long Weekend with the support of Evergreen Turf and Elite Sands & Soil.

"Hopefully we'll be able to send back to Coonamble something like $100,000," Mr Fletcher said.

He described his own diagnosis of prostate cancer eighteen months ago which, thanks to his access to the latest technology, is now looking completely clear.

"I thought what about the people in the bush? How can someone afford $20,000 if they need to go and get operated on tomorrow?"

"I would like with this fund to get the tax status right so that if people donate to the fund they can get the deduction off their tax. It's so important to get that so you can raise a lot more money," he said.

"People know what the fund is for and once you get touched by it the donations will start coming. So hopefully we'll get that tax deduction status right," Mr Fletcher said.

Downstairs, the fun continued with the Fashions on the Field competition judged in record time.

Master of Ceremonies was Alexander Deans and the prizes were presented by Michael Speechley from Resilium, the major sponsors of the competition.

The Resilium Best Dressed Couple was awarded to Zac and Rachel Buckley with Runners Up Kurt Waterford and Megham Selmes.

The Best Dressed Man category was sponsored by the Australian Turf Club and the Sydney Cricket & Sports Grounds and went to Tyler Cleary with Kurt Waterford again runner up.

The Southern Cross Turf and Elite Sand & Soil, Best Dressed Lady category was won by Michelle Meyes with Sharon Edmonds a close second.

The winner of the Miss Country Championships prize, sponsored by Dad & Dave's Turf and Evergreen Turf was Rachael Buckley with Meghan Selmes in second place.

With the rest of the meeting abandoned, Coonamble Jockey Club wound up proceedings and began thinking ahead to Tuesday afternoon and planning for the remainder of the races.

The Country Championships Calcutta went off without a hitch on Saturday night at the Terminus Hotel.

More than $14,000 was raised from the Charity Auction which sold, among other things, a load of feedlot manure and the front page of the Coonamble Times.

The majority of the prizemoney will go to Koonambil Aged Hostel to purchase outdoor furniture for the enjoyment of residents and their visitors, while any remaining funds will be put towards improving on course amenities at the racecourse.