It's full steam ahead at Cessnock Racecourse this week, where final preparations are underway for the Jungle Juice Cup race day on Monday, October 28.
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The eight-race program will include two feature races - the Jungle Juice Cup (1350m) and the Cessnock Cup (2125m).
Newcastle Jockey Club industry liaison and racing supervisor Michael Buckley said Cessnock track manager Steve Tapp is working hard preparing the track and grounds for the big day.
"The track will most likely race as a Good 3 track with good grass cover and some cushion," Buckley said.
"We will continue to irrigate during the week, unfortunately warm weather with no rain forecast."
First held in 1981, the Jungle Juice Cup is Cessnock's biggest race meeting of the year.
Cessnock trainer Jeremy Sylvester, with eight Jungle Juice Cups on his mantlepiece, will be hoping to combine with close friend Robert Thompson with Three Sheets in this year's Cup.
The pair have teamed up to win six Jungle Juice Cups with old war horse Youthful King their most recent winner in 2015.
Thompson - who holds the record for most wins by an Australian jockey - has won the time-honoured race a staggering 11 times.
Three Sheets ran an eye-catching second in the Hurricane at Newcastle during its recent Cup carnival.
Last year's Jungle Juice Cup was taken out by Kentucky Flyer for apprentice Qin Yong and former Cessnock publican Graham Payne.
The 2018 Cessnock Cup was transferred to Newcastle and was won by Keep Up, trained by Clare Cunningham and ridden by the 2018/19 Cessnock leading jockey Chad Lever.
Thompson has been the Cessnock Cup's most successful jockey winning the race six times while the retired Allan Robinson rode four winners.
Two of Thompson's winners - Gay Scene (1987) and Trevino (1991) - were trained by his late father Arthur.
He won on Rosie Heir for veteran local trainer Beaney Jones in 1978 when still an apprentice.
In 1983 Thompson piloted Full Alert to victory for Newcastle trainer Eric Sandford, while the late Max Lees combined with Thompson to win the 1995 edition with Hot Aussie.
Thompson's last Cessnock Cup winner was in 2017 aboard Invicta for Gosford trainer Ken Parker.
Gates will open at 12pm and tickets can be bought online for $10 at newcastleracecourse.com.au, or at the gate on the day for $15.
Racing presenter Gary Harley will host a Calcutta at Cessnock Leagues Club on Sunday at 7pm.
The Jungle Juice Cup race day will be Cessnock Racecourse's final event for the year, with racing to resume in January.
