August not an ideal month for a cup carnival

However, Mr Coleman wouldn't comment on whether the matter has been discussed at board level or further.

Crowd numbers were capped at 400 for Sunday's cup day because of COVID-19 restrictions. However, cup day was marred by strong westerly winds that would have impacted on spectator numbers even if there wasn't a cap in place.

Only 100 people were permitted into the Winning Post Function Centre, meaning those who sat outside had to brave the conditions.

Mr Coleman concurred that August isn't an ideal month to run a cup carnival for varying reasons, including the weather.

He said the two day 2020 carnival was as successful as the club had hoped given the unusual circumstances.

Speaking at the chairman's luncheon before the start of racing on Sunday, Mr Coleman revealed that as recently as three months ago the club wasn't sure if there would be a carnival this year because of the pandemic and the resulting restrictions.

"The headline in Friday's Manning River Times summed it up,'' he said.

"This is a cup like no other.''

However, he said on Monday indications are the betting turnover for the Friday meeting featuring the Hopkins Livermore Cup and Sunday's cup day meeting will be up on the 2019 figures.

Cup day ran without incident, either on or off the track.

"It was probably the least stressful cup day I've ever had,'' Mr Coleman said.

Meanwhile it was a matter of all in the family for Newcastle's Jason Deamer, the trainer of Taree Cup winner Decroux.

Deamer's father, John, had won the Taree Cup twice.

"It was good to do it. Decroux was entered to run last year but we decided not to run. So it's all worked out well,'' Deamer said after accepting the cup at a private function.

Public presentations were also banned as part of the COVID-19 guidelines. Deamer was quick to praise the condition of the Bushland Drive track.

"The track's been good here for years now,'' he said.

"Scott (track curator Scott Olsen) has done a marvelous job. The track's always in good order and it's a pleasure to race here.''

Deamer is a regular at Manning Valley meetings, although this was his first cup win.

"I like coming here,'' he said.

"It's a good hospitality and just a good day out.''

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Deamer said he was 'a little bit confident' going into the race.

"We had him in at Randwick on Saturday, but it was a harder race and he had more weight. So this race looked suitable and we had a nice barrier.''

He isn't sure where Decroux will start next.

"We hadn't really thought any further forward than today,'' he said.

"Long range, he's probably a Magic Millions horse.

"But we'll make a decision after talking to Dynamic Syndications,'' Deamer added. (Dynamic Syndications race Decroux).

"I've had a lot of luck with Dynamic over the last 12 months. They're very good to train for and they keep supporting me and sending me horses.''