Just when they thought it couldn't get any bigger the Gulargambone Gold Cup race meeting has pulled its biggest crowd in recent memory.

An estimated 550 racegoers came through the gate on Saturday 26 August and, despite an unpredictable series of hiccoughs that delayed the start of the first and third races of the six race program, the festive crowd proceeded to eat and drink the place dry.

With the support of local food and beverage outlets the Lions Club and other volunteers rushed to replenish their supplies and the trackside atmosphere remained jovial throughout with many promising to return next year.

"It was the biggest we've had," said Jockey Club President Tom Gadsby. "I reckon we beat last year's by about one hundred people."

"We were very, very pleased with the support of all the locals and all the outside people who travelled to attend."

"It was a great mix and just a lovely day."

The Friday night Calcutta held at the Bowling Club created a total prize pool of around $8700, with the winner taking home a handy $5300.

Behind the scenes the Jockey Club members had spent months preparing for Gulargambone's big day of racing.

"We've only got a small committee and they did a fantastic job to get it all ready for the day," Mr Gadsby said. "We had a fair list of jobs from Racing NSW that we had to get done before we could race."

"We had a lot of expenses this year so the big crowd has made it all worthwhile," he said.

Major improvements were completed, including a new shed to house the barriers bought from Narromine race club a few years ago and the installation of an ATCO building to provide separate amenities for the female jockeys.

"There's now four toilets and three showers at the eastern end of the Showground," Mr Gadsby said.

"Although the public can't use them on race days, for other events like the Show and the Campdraft they'll now have access to another set of facilities."

PHOTO: Mark & Nicole Morris enjoying the glorious spring weather at the Gulargambone Gold Cup.

Mr Gadsby said that, as is always the case in Gulargambone, the new facilities were made possible by the generosity of local businesses.

The shed materials were purchased thanks to the Club's Beers for Barriers fundraising and a contribution from Coonamble Shire Council, but Roger Buckland and Sandra Windsor erected the shed using their own equipment at no charge and Dominic and James Spora put all the footings down for the new amenities building.

"We also had to re-do a section of the racetrack fence to move it further from the day stalls," Mr Gadsby said.

"So there was 100 metres of new pipe and railing, and Nutrien sponsored a roll of hingejoint so that children can't sneak under the fence."

"It all came up pretty well," he said.

PHOTO: Best Dressed Ladies Michelle Green (Hermidale) and Katrina Shelton (Quambone)

The Fashions on the Field was also well-sponsored and organiser Caitlyn Gadsby says moving the competition out of the mounting yard and out onto the course worked well.

She was assisted on the day by judges Lisa Ridge (Engonnia Race Club) and Kate Banks (Gulargambone).

Best Dressed Couple went to Ian and Jeanette Cruikshank (Tooraweenah) with Phil and Annie Haling (Gulargambone) as runners-up. Their prizes were sponsored by Elders Dubbo, Reflections Dubbo, The Rural Trader and This n That.

Gulargambone’s James Spora won Best Dressed Gent on a narrow margin from Dwayne (Birdie) Hammond with the men picking up prizes from Blowes Menswear, Gulargambone Bowling Club, The Rural Trader and This n That.

PHOTO: Tegan Slade, Phoebe Horrell and Biance Penfold from Dubbo.

The prize for Best Dressed Lady went to Michelle Green from Hermidale with Katrina Shelton (Quambone) as runner up. Their packages came from Jade Boutique, Jumbled, This n That and the Rural Trader.

Courtenay Colwell (Warren) took home prizes from Fiona Schofield and The Rural Trader for winning the Best Millinery category.

The races were the chosen venue for a joint 60th and 70th birthday party for former locals Kay and Peter Hourn, with a crowd of around thirty guests appropriately sashed for the occasion.

Family and friends sashed and ready to race with Kay and Peter Hourn. IMAGE: Coonamble Times Gallery

"It all turned out pretty well," Mr Gadsby said. "We had no trouble with the crowd and there were no injuries but having the NSW Ambulance turning up to make sure we're still safe was wonderful

"It was unreally to have that many people in town, supporting local businesses and packing out the pub and the club after the races."

BELOW: Bill Ridge (Enngonia), Grace Glynn (Dubbo), Lisa Ridge and Kylie Parry.