A record crowd enjoyed perfect race conditions at the 2024 Imperial Hotel Coonabarabran Cup on Sunday (27 October).

In his inaugural year as President of the Race Committee, Brad Edwards said he was thrilled with the meeting, both in attendance and the standard of racing.  “It was fantastic.  A really, really successful weekend.”

Mr Edwards said the committee was still confirming numbers, but the event looked to have attracted over 2000 racegoers.

“This year we did a really big campaign on social media leading into it.  There was a bit of hype beforehand.  We had people lining up to get marquees and pre-ticket sales were strong.

People flocked in from across the region. 

“The Baradine Jockey Club bought in a bus and had a big contingent present, and there were a lot ex-pat Coona people who came back for the weekend,” he said.

The president said track conditions were excellent and there was a strong field, on-course.

 “It was a terrific standard of racing.  We didn’t have a field under 12 runners, and it was really good, close, hard racing.”

Earlier in the races one of the jockeys came off the horse and had to forfeit his place. 

“In Race Two we had a jockey come off a horse, but he was fine," Mr Edwards said.

The fashions on the field trackside this year featured many stunning outfits. Judges Kate Kirk and Maz Saunders had the challenge of picking the best dressed across ten different categories, including Future Fashionista, Fashionable Filly, Colt of the Course, Lady of Style (visitor and local), Gent of Fashion, and Silver Selection. 

The winners for the Fashions on the Field included: 

• Ivy Williams (Future Fashionista - girl)
• Henry Mudford (Future Fashionista - boy)
• Larissa Wilkin (Fashionable Filly local 18-35)
• Amy Large (Fashionable Filly visitor 18-35)
• Alex Roe (Colt of the Course 18-35)
• Jenna Flood (Lady of Style local 36-60)
• Sharon Edmonds (Lady of Style visitor 36-60)
• Doug King (Gent of Fashion 36-60)
• Helen Jenner (Silver Section ladies)
• Doug Hodges (Silver Section gentlemen)

Fashionable Filly Visitor winner Amy Large (second from the right) accepts her prize from the judges.

Colt of the Course Alex Roe (second from the left) is a proud winner.

Fashionable filly local Larissa Wilkin (second from the right) stole the show in her polka dot dress.

Gent of Fashion winner Doug King impressed the judges with his well-put-together outfit.

The judges looked for complete outfits, including hats, ties, jewellery, and handbags, as well as, confidence to decide who the winner was. 

The Coonabarabran Rotary Club served sausage and steak sandwiches for the crowds to enjoy and the bars kept the drinks flowing for the crowd. 

Mr Edwards said the races are a successful finish to a strong year. 

“We are having a good year in the district and that usually augers well for the races.  

“This is not just a race meeting, it’s a ‘get back to Coona’ weekend,” Mr Edwards said.

The party kicked on later at the Imperial Hotel with DJ Disarray providing the tunes.

Check out the full race report here.