The Philippines-born 39-year-old Port Macquarie-based rider's sister, Marie, donated a kidney to Dolendo, who had a successful transplant operation late last year.

Dolendo has not ridden for 14 months but has been riding trackwork for eight weeks and had his first barrier trial at Grafton recently.

''I can't wait to get back to race riding,'' Dolendo said. ''I was a bit tired after riding at the trials but pulled up good.

''I have to ride in more trials before the Racing NSW doctor will clear me. Hopefully that's early next month.

''I've really missed being at the track with the boys competing and financially, with three kids and a mortgage, it's been tough.''

FAMILY AFFAIR

Last Saturday's Geurie Cup, won by One Last Shot (Ricky Blewitt) with a booming finish, proved a real family affair.

The gelding is trained by Dubbo's John McKinnon the son of former Geurie Picnic Club president and Geurie hotel proprietor Scott McKinnon. John's mother owns the six-year-old.

Meanwhile, apprentice David Pisani, indentured to Peter Nestor at Dubbo, won aboard Smart Money at Mudgee on Sunday then on Wednesday rode his first metropolitan winner Lady La Douce at Kembla Grange. Dale Spriggs made a triumphant return at Mudgee from more than three months of injury, piloting a double aboard Don't Move and No Mistaking.

QUEEN FOR A DAY

Friday's $40,000 Queen Of The North (1200m) at Port Macquarie has been sweetened with winning connections receiving a free service to Patinack Farm's dual group 1 classic winning French shuttle stallion, Lope de Vega.

Lope de Vega is a son of Shamardal, who stands for $27,000.

The group 1-winning stallion equalled the feat of Shamardal, winning the 2000 Guineas at Longchamp and the French Derby at Chanti. Apart from the prizemoney and stallion service, BOBS bonuses of up to $18,000 are available on the annual event for fillies and mares, which heads the eight-race program.

ORANGE SWEETENER

Prizemoney for next month's Orange Gold Cup has been boosted from $20,000 to $50,000.

And The Pinnacle and Banjo Patterson Handicap increase to $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.

All other races on the bumper program are worth $11,000 taking the total prizemoney on offer to $140,000.

Under new chairwoman Ellie Brown the club has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since splitting from Golden West Racing, which also incorporated Bathurst.

The cup is now the richest in the central west region.

Naming rights for the cup will be determined at today's Orange TAB meeting.

ROAMING FORUMS

Racing NSW chairman John Messara and chief executive Peter V'landys will conduct a series of racing industry forums in regional centres throughout NSW over the next two months allowing all interested parties to contribute and voice their opinion. The board's move has been widely welcomed by the country racing community.

The first forum will be held at Tamworth racecourse on February 22, followed by Orange (March 6), Newcastle (March 7), Kembla Grange (March 13), Wagga (March 20), Queanbeyan (March 27) and Ballina (April 3).

TAB MEETINGS

Today - Grafton, Orange. Monday - Wagga, Scone. Tuesday - Queanbeyan. Friday - Port Macquarie, Goulburn. Saturday - Muswellbrook, Lismore.

tony-white3@bigpond.com