The Tamworth Harness Racing Club board was more than delighted when it received the news last week that approval had been granted to have patrons back at meetings.
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Guidelines have been put in place for the meetings, to meet COVID-19 restrictions - with the club set to conduct two more meetings in October.
It will be great to see the club once again hosting their guests, who will be able to enjoy harness racing trackside.
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Sarah Rushbrook may still be on the sidelines due to injuries sustained in a race fall at Inverell in March.
But the Kootingal trainer, owner and reinswoman is still picking up winners - even as recent as last Monday at Marburg.
Rushbrook sent Adrenaline Rush to Queensland trainer Graham Dwyer, who oversaw the four-year-old mare's win in her first start for his stables.
Racing one out and one back, reinsman Pete McMullen made sure Adrenaline Rush made the most of the straight, to record the win over 1850 metres. The mile rate was 2min 00.4sec and the win paid $6.50.
It was three wins on the trot for Adrenaline Rush, in her ninth race start. She has three minor placings.
"I have so many people to thank who have helped me out with the horses," said Rushbrook.
"It's good to see the horses winning a race while I am out and it's good to be able to keep the horses going."
She also said: "Kellie and Danny Mackney jogged the horse (Adrenaline Rush] up for me and then Graham (Dwyer) has done such a good job with training her."
Rushbrook has another pacer in the wings, in Rushy's Chance, who has made it to the trials.
"Ken (Natty) has worked my two-year-old (Rushy's Choice) up to trial stage," she said. "But he will head to the paddock for a spell for a little while now."
Rushbrook's Jackeroo Shannon will race at Newcastle tonight. The horse will be handled by trainer Michael Formosa.
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Due to a change in the Australian harness racing season, which will now officially run from January 1 to December 31 each year, the Tamworth Harness Racing Club is conducting a short-season premiership.
That will allow the club to fill in the period between the end of the last full premiership season (August 31) and the start of the new premiership season (January 1).
The short-season premiership points will be accumulated in two open and two local premierships.
There is also a drive of the day category.
With three meetings conducted so far in the short season, Dean Chapple is currently leading all categories in the open trainers and drivers premierships as well as the local trainers and drivers premierships.
The drive of the day has gone the way of Chapple behind one from stables, I'm Quite American, Madi Young behind the Greg Coney-trained Alliyahs Choice, and Tom Ison behind Quirindi trainer Brendan Hunt's Water Master.
