Although it was damp underfoot and there were many a sinking stiletto, the Coonabarabran Cup race meet went ahead with a smaller COVID-safe crowd on Sunday, 25 October.

Despite 35 millimetres of rain in the two days preceeding the annual event, the track held up well.

Coonabarabran Jockey Club president, Stewart Rogers, said a good cover of grass got them through.

“The work Kerry Vallette and his assistant, Harold Sutton, have put into the track paid off,” Mr Rogers said.

“And to think, last year we were struggling with sourcing water and this year we had an over supply!”

However, the wet conditions did lead to 25 per cent of horses being scratched and a smaller number of punters on the track.

While the sold-out event was capped at 500 due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 420 attended the race meet, with a good mix of locals, visitors and regular race-goers.

Mr Rogers said he was appreciative of the crowd that turned up, with everyone socially distancing and complying with regulations.

“With the weather and COVID-19 restrictions, we were fully tested and lucky to race.

“If you had asked me three months ago if we were racing, I would have said, ‘No way’, but as we got closer things were looking more promising.”

Mr Rogers said a boost in membership from 40 last year to 170 this year was one of the silver linings from COVID-19.

“It seems no-one wanted to miss out on a ticket to the Coona Cup!”