"Restrictions on attendances at racecourses contributed significantly to the profitability of our club,'' Mr Coleman pointed out in his report to the club's annual meeting.

"The club's bar and food sales, admission takings and TAB turnover were all negatively affected for many months.''

Mr Coleman said the 2020 Taree Cup was restricted to 500 patrons due to COVID regulations. One of the club's biggest meetings in terms of crowd support, the Melbourne Cup day meeting, was cancelled due to a restriction on the number of patrons allowed on-course while there was no industry funding for the meeting.

"A severe storm on Harrington Cup day on January 4 resulted in cancellation of the last race while the Country Championship meeting on Sunday February 21 was washed out completely. Hannan Vale Cup day (March 12) was also abandoned after three races due to an electrical storm,'' Mr Coleman added.

The club also faced additional costs for security and COVID heath requirements.

Major flooding at the Bushland Drive complex last March also caused havoc and resulted in thousands of dollars in damages.

"Running rails were damaged and our outdoor staff worked tirelessly to enable training to continue within two days of the floods,'' Mr Coleman said.

The club was not eligible for the JobKeeper grant system because of the dates when its race meetings were scheduled.

The club had a profit of $57,153 after depreciation of $172,438, which Mr Coleman described as a 'satisfactory outcome'.

"We are pleased to have posted a profit,'' he said.

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"We continued to improve infrastructure, replaced the Triton ute; commissioned a stable complex master plan; started work on 118 new tie-up stalls; replaced the 'walk off track' for track work; installed distance markers on the course-proper and have three outdoor qualifying for an horticultural course. Our office assistant is starting an accounting course,'' Mr Coleman continued.

Mr Coleman said the 2021/22 financial year will see the completion of the tie-up stall project, the stable master plan costed and ready for a DA submission, the exterior of all buildings painted, new fencing installed and the replacement of machinery.

"We will continue to lobby Racing NSW for the replacement of the sand track,'' he said.

"We look forward to having the Manning Valley Race Club again placed in the top group of country race clubs in NSW,'' Mr Coleman concluded.

He was returned as chairman unopposed at the annual meeting, with Brian Kelly the vice chairman. Kyle Brown is treasurer. Tony Walton, Nathan Stack, Adam Johnson and Jeff Haisell are the directors.

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