Armidale Cup will be run this Sunday
It's been nearly five months since the normally very active Armidale Jockey Club has held a race meet but they'll be back in style this Sunday for their premier event.
The Armidale Cup will be run and won and a big day is planned.
The drought wreaked havoc on the local track with all planned meets since September's St Albert's College race day being transferred to other courses.
The rain which has hit the area in the last two months has seen the Armidale Racecourse spring back.
In fact, there has been so much precipitation that the track is currently rated as Heavy 8.
"The track is on the heavy side at the moment, we would like to say we don't want too much more rain," Armidale Jockey Club's secretary manager Jim Dedes said.
"We don't need a lot more rain, it can rain after the races.
"It has been good but, never complain about the rain.
"They say a little bit of rain today [Thursday] but then Friday, Saturday, Sunday should be all clear."
The eight-race program will see trainers from all over the New England, as well as the coast and Newcastle, bring their horses.
The $60,000 1900m Armidale Cup itself has 13 entries including last year's winner Scotty Be Gotti.
Armidale trainers Stirling Osland and Lea Selby also have horses entered in the feature race.
"We have good acceptances so it looks like it should be a pretty good day," Dedes said.
"We have got 13 in the Cup; Kris Lees, Tas Mortan, Paul Perry and Scotty Be Gotti who won the Cup last year.
"It is quite a good field.
"We have got trainers coming from everywhere, it is terrific."
Dedes said there has been plenty of inquiries flooding in about what's on offer and he said they've planned a "family friendly" event.
"This year we are having live band music playing, stuff for the kids, jumping castles for the kids, fashions on the field," he said.
"We are just doing a bit more this year to make it a bit more family friendly."
After the Armidale Cup, St Albert's College have brought their annual race day forward this year to be held on March 29.