Shining a spotlight on the glitz and glamour of the Coona Cup race meet is the highly-anticipated Fashions on the Field, this year led by fashion enthusiast, Abby Baker.

After assisting with judging the fashion at last year’s Coona Cup, Abby expressed her excitement about taking on a bigger role this year as the event’s coordinator. With out-of-town judges joining the panel and a surge of online buzz, she said the event is shaping up to be bigger than ever.

Abby has been travelling to race meets for the last five years to contest Fashions on the Field competitions and, as such, is the perfect fit to take the reins of Coona’s event this year.

“I like putting together an outfit, talking to milliners, finding the dress, accessories, and creating the outfit,” she said.

With judges attending from western NSW and Queensland, Abby is excited to show them what Coona and the surrounds is about, through competitors’ fashion.

“I’d like to see people in an outfit they’ve created and feel really comfortable in, something that shows their personality,” Abby said.

When it comes to what exactly those outfits should look like, Abby explained it’s not as daunting as it may seem.

“Colour, light fabrics and millinery are favourites and it’s recommended to steer clear of any heavy, winter fabrics in line with the spring criteria,” she said.

“In a cost-of-living crisis, however, getting dressed up doesn’t need to come with a steep price tag.

“Lots of people are making their own outfits, fascinators and millinery. It’s nice when you ask someone where they got their outfits from, and they tell you they made it themselves.”

Previous Coona Cup race meets have drawn around 70 participants for the Fashions on the Field competitions, featuring women, men, and children from both the local community and visiting guests.

Fashion spotters are on hand during the event, encouraging potential contestants to step up and showcase their style.

Silver Selection

Also of note is the ‘Silver Selection’, for those aged over 60.

The brainchild of long-time Jockey Club member Sarah Baglee, this section has been running for over eight years.

“At many other such events elsewhere, the fashions are just for those over 18, but we like to have different categories to show off different styles," Abby said.

“A lot of people have commented that they like the over 60’s section, which has been great to hear.”

Regardless of age, Fashions on the Field is as popular as ever, with a strong community of regular competitors.

“Especially in the country, I think there’s a lot of people who like to dress up and wear something different,” Abby said.

“I’m excited, I’m ready!

“We’ve got the judges, and over $5000 in cash, vouchers and gift prizes generously donated by businesses.

“There are categories for everyone.”

PHOTO: A popular section of the Coona Jockey Club’s Fashions on the Field is the Silver Selection, won in 2023 by Charmaine Ledden, Coonamble, and Ashley Scifleet, Mudgee.