She knows fans won't be track side for Towac Park's first meeting of the season on Monday, but Racing Orange boss Bree McMinn is "optimistic" restrictions will be lifted in time for November's Tradies and Ladies Day, one of the biggest events on the club's calendar.
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Nominations have already landed for the welcome back to Towac meeting with local hope Alison Smith set to roll out six products from here stables.
McMinn hopes to see people back at the races in time for the aforementioned November 19 event but until then, will do everything she can to adhere to the protocols.
"We're obviously guided by Racing New South Wales and all of their COVID safety measures," McMinn said.
"We've got to do a temperature check on everyone who comes through the gate, and it's only essential personnel that's allowed... no general public."
Of course these circumstances are challenging for McMinn and her staff, but these aren't uncharted waters as the same hurdles were thrown there way after the initial onset of the virus.
"Unfortunately for the Legends Day last season, we had to the same thing," she said.
"I'm hoping and I'm optimistic that it'll be just this meeting that's like this... and perhaps the one in October.
"Hopefully by November we'll be back with full crowds."
Having said all this, McMinn understands that racing in general is in a good position as it's pretty well the only sport that's operational in this part of the country.
"We're very fortunate we can continue to race, and we're conscious of doing it safely," she said.
"A big shout out to our sponsors as well. Hopefully we can all have a big track side party soon."
After 2019 was as dry as a bone, the Towac track as benefited greatly from the amount of rain in the last couple of years, much to the delight of visiting jockeys and trainers.
As for the condition of the course in 2021, it's more of the same.
"Everyone's flat out making sure it's tip top," she said.
"We'll present the surface as well as we can."
Testing out the track will be half-a-dozen smith prospects as veteran sprinter Panuara will return less than two weeks after a brave effort at Wellington on a heavy nine.
The nine-year-old might be in the twilight of his career, but that race suggests there's a bit left in the tank yet.
He'll clash with multiple others in the $24,000 On-Trag AG Benchmark 66 handicap (1000m), mostly notably Dar Lunn's classy rebel who brings plenty of strong form into the journey
Another Smith sprinter on a quick back-up will be three-year-old mare Brief Statement who battled home against an experienced field at Dubbo on Sunday, securing third spot.
She's scored places in two-from-two runs so far, and will be looking to achieve that again in the $24,000 DVM Embroidery Maiden Plate (800m). Brief Statement will potentially be racing with a pair of stablemates as I'll Tell You Miss and Spiritual Boom are also in the mix.
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