Firstly, Ken Dunbar rode two rank outsiders to massive upset victories before all racing was abandoned due to a section of the track being unsuitable for racing.

But before that decision was made, in what was one of the more surprising scenes at any track around the country, champion jockey Greg Ryan jumped on the mower to try and do his bit to get the surface up to scratch.

The 'Greg can ride anything to win' jokes began almost as soon as the jockey with more than 4000 career wins to his name jumped on the ride-on to cut back the grass in the area of the track in question.

It was a section between the 800-600m area of the track, with early reports stating the grass was too long and it was leading some horses to slip in the early races.

The track had been rated a Good 4 at the start of the day but the water on the problem section of the track reportedly hadn't been absorbed as much as would have been liked because of the longer grass.

Despite the best efforts of Ryan, the decision was made to abandon the meeting with only two races completed.

The first race was won by $81 hope Dashing Badger from the Cowra stables of Michael Lynch before Dubbo trainer Natalie Pearce scored a first win in more than 18 months.

The Pearce-trained Bart's Bullet won the Lesley Walsh Appreciation Maiden Handicap (1300m) at the odds of $61.

"I'm super stoked for everyone involved in this horse," Pearce told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win.