Club representative and league stakeholders were on hand at the Bathurst Harness Racing Club on Sunday afternoon, for the Group 10 Rugby League meeting.
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All eight races were named after each Group 10 club, with the sixth race - the Bathurst Panthers Group 10 Rugby League Cup (1730 metres) - the main race.
Mitch Turnbull drove favourite Smooth Cash ($3.20) to victory, just ahead of stablemate Little Bit Dusty to give trainer Steve Turnbull first and second in the main race.
On hand at the meeting were representatives from five Group 10 clubs - Bathurst Panthers, Cowra Magpies, Mudgee Dragons, Orange Hawks and St Pat's - as well as members of the competition board, Men of League, Group 10 Referees Association and major sponsor Tooheys.
Group 10 president Linore Zamparini said it was great to see a majority of the clubs get together, prior to the competition's opening round in Easter.
"It is important that all the clubs come together, because they are mates and they enjoy it and their company," he said.
"Danny Dwyer from the Bathurst Harness Racing Club has put in a big effort for this day and you couldn't ask for better weather too."
While Panthers, Hawks and Dragons were the leading clubs in 2019, the last two play-off sports went right down to the wire, eventually claimed by Lithgow Workies and Magpies.
Zamparini said he expects the competition to be extremely competitive once again.
"Last year proved that the competition was competitive because the top five wasn't decided until the last round," he said.
"I expect this season will be no different.
"Mudgee will come back with unfinished business. Blayney's building, St Pat's are building and Cowra's got a few, so it should be a pretty good competition all round."
The off-season has featured plenty of major signings including Daniel Mortimer to Orange CYMS, Josh Starling to Panthers and former Oberon trio Abel Lefaoseu, Jackson Brien and Blake Fitzpatrick to St Pat's.
However, it's been recently marred by the controversy surrounding Siosaia Vave's signing to Blayney and departure from the club.
"The signings have been pretty good," Zamparini said.
"They sort of go that way because of the proximity to Sydney. People want to come out here and play in this Group.
"It's a strong Group and lot of the guys have come down from the coast before, but it's been a bit hard for them.
"We're just looking forward to a great season."
When the Western Advocate asked him for his top five pick for 2020, he said he'd "struggle" to name five, but mentioned Panthers and Mudgee as certain and said Workies have "built well".
