IT is four years in the making, as the Dunkeld Racing Club prepares to welcome back crowds to its annual cup meet for the first time in four years.

November 16, 2019 was the last time punters were trackside, with 2020 and 2021 events ran without crowds, due to the pandemic, while unseasonal wet weather forced the meet to be abandoned last year.

With the crowd capped at 10,000 for this year’s event and a forecast temperature of 23, club manager, Carl Hufer said he was looking forward to seeing the once-a-year event back to normal.

“It is hugely exciting, great for the community and club to have crowds back,” he said.

“Everything is coming along well, bookings are running hot … the weather is perfect, so no excuses.

“The track has come along well, it will probably race as a Soft5 or Good4, so we expect some great racing action.

“The cup field has some nice horses which have been nominated.”

Despite the crowd cap, tickets are still available, with Hufer encouraging locals to pre-purchase them if possible.

“There is GA still available, so people can hop online or they can get a ticket at the gate,” he said.

With the Dunkeld Cup the last annual event to resume in normal conditions after the pandemic, Hufer said it was important for the club to put on the best event it can each year, and this year would be no different.

“We have to make sure the event is the best possible event it can be,” he said.

“I feel like soon as you walk on course with the surrounds and the view, I think it is the perfect country race meet.”