Coonamble Jockey Club is champing at the bit to get the weekend's banner event underway, with organisers and club officials all hard at work finalising preparations for the club's first ever host of a leg of the Country Championship.
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Club secretary and manager Ana Robson says while the recent rain has been a boon for the track conditions, the club's investment in the track after they were announced as the event's next host.
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"The track looks amazing right now, the work has really paid off and the rain we've had recently has definitely helped us out, we're really ready for it to be huge and we're expecting a big turnout on the day," Robson said.
Club President Ken Waterford agreed, noting that the sizable investment in a rehauled irrigation system had paved the way for an immaculate field on Sunday.
"We put that $240,000 watering system in just before Christmas time and with that and the rain, it just looks completely unbelievable right now, we've put all new fencing in around the enclosure and it's just an absolute picture," Waterford said.
The club have received a record number of nominations for the event's eight races, in the area of 210 total entrants, and Waterford is confident that the club will be able to convert the momentum into something truly special.
"The town's abuzz with excitement and the boardroom are all over the moon, we're hoping to have it here for two years if we can get the support for it," Waterford said.
"It's going to be absolutely massive, it'll be the biggest day in Coonamble racing history, no doubt."
Coonamble likely won't be the only beneficiary of the event, however, with a number of other small clubs also getting involved with what has become something of a rally for smaller clubs across the regions.
"It's the first time the Country Championships have ever been held west of Dubbo, so it will definitely help all those locals and the smaller clubs and trainers and we're getting a lot of support from all our WRA clubs, they're all bringing buses to support us on the day, which we appreciate," Waterford said.
All eyes will likely turn to Coonamble in the lead up to the event, with a number of additions, including a record prize total for the Fashion on the Fields show and several high profile names expected to ride on the day.
Championship jockey Hugh Bowman will be the biggest name, which Waterford welcomed wholeheartedly.
"We'll have Hugh Bowman riding on the day out on that track that looks perfect and immaculate, it'll be great," Waterford said.