THERE have been plenty of changes across Dubbo Turf Club during 2013 as financial strain from past years put a question over its future.
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In the lead-up to Dubbo Derby Day, the biggest social event on the city calendar, the club has improved facilities directly related to customer service.
General manager Mark Day said the improvements were the result of recent meet successes, which reflected a now-healthy state of racing.
"We've put new carpet in the jockeys' room, we have a new beer system giving patrons colder drinks, new stairways on the hill and a new entrance to the track," he said.
Mr Day's current concern about future finances comes after operational changes made by Racing NSW.
The state body has taken away income streams, introduced a new fee structure and removed bookmakers' stamp fees.
However, Mr Day said good prize money and pulling power of jockey Greg Ryan were helping Dubbo Turf Club.
"We have $15,000 (prize money) a race minimum, it's good," he said.
"Greg Ryan's one of just three jockeys who's ridden 3000 winners or more, the TAB turnover's a $100,000 drop when he's not around.
"Dubbo doesn't miss out... racing's in a healthy state, we just need to get a bigger serve (of the money)."
For the club's biggest meet, there were 6000 attendees at Derby Day 2012.
Mr Day drew a favourable comparison when comparing figures to the Randwick races.
"We get 6000, and out of how many million Randwick gets 18,000, I think we go pretty well," he said.
A number of new meets have also boosted the club's takings, which Mr Day said should continue for years to come.
"We had the Pink Day Out, and that's here to stay, and the Family Day Out which was good too," he said.
"The embrace for the (Back O') Bourke meet was fantastic, it would be really nice if we could grow that as a picnic meeting to help charities here and there."
Mr Day said if the Bourke meet was to do well at Dubbo, there was a good chance of returning the race to its original home.
Other plans for the future also looked strong, leading with the possibility of an international rodeo at the track next year.
