For the first time since the lockdown, owners and punters will be allowed to attend a Tamworth Jockey Club meeting when the TJC hosts a seven-race TAB program on Monday.
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But it will be a muted celebration of sorts: a maximum of 500 people are allowed on course, including owners, trainers, jockeys and race officials, and strict COVID-19 protocols will be in place.
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TJC general manager Mitch Shaw said: "There's a lot of protocols they need to follow, but we'll have ample staff there to make sure everyone knows what they're doing."
It was "really good to have those people back", he said.
"It's been a bit odd on race days, where it's just been the staff and the industry participants ... Hopefully coming into the warmer months we might be able to have more on track, especially coming up to our annual Melbourne Cup meeting."
Last month's Country Showcase meeting at Tamworth was transferred to Scone because of wet weather.
At the time, Shaw said that would not have happened had the track had better drainage.
Including Monday's meeting, the TJC will host six meetings before its annual track renovation is carried out - including upgrading the drainage system.
On Sunday, the course was rated Good 4.
"So perfect for racing," Shaw said.
He said the TJC had had to "knuckle down" during the coronavirus crisis, but no staff were lost.
Monday's meeting, he continued, had received "strong" acceptances.
