Three of the five races on the program were run, with the final two - the McGrath Breast Care Nurses Benchmark 50 (1600m) and Spring Pink Races Benchmark 50 (1400m) - abandoned in the interests of safety.

The day opened with the F&M Maiden Plate, which was taken out by Bathurst trainer Roy McCabe's Wishing and Hoping, ahead of Mudgee trainer Mark Milton's Cthonia.

Former locally-based Gayna Williams had success in Race 2 - the CG&E Maiden Plate (1100m) - with her runner Deponent. And in what turned out to be the final race of the day, Taldora Miss trained by James Berry of Muswellbrook led home Mack Griffith's Mudgee-trained Sandstorm.

Club secretary, Colleen Walker said while it was unfortunate for owners and trainers that the final races didn't proceed it was a decision that was understood and didn't dampen the day overall.

"People respected that it was better that it be a safe track," she said.

"It was unfortunate that we couldn't complete the races, but fortunate that we could continue the day and have a very successful event."

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Walker added that the annual meet, which supports the Pink Up Mudgee campaign, continues to be a hit. Particularly with visitors to town and 2020 saw them come from as far afield as Wyong, Wollongong, Newcastle, and Sydney.

"In a lot of ways it was a special day, we had a lot of visitors to Mudgee and a lot of people make this their annual event, as oppose to coming to the long weekend race day which can be busy, and we have families and people who make it their pilgrimage," she said.

"It's a day out, it's not all about racing but we think that Mudgee has a very safe track and hosts very competitive and good racing. It's all about people getting out, there's an expansive lawn area where you can social distance and be under cover.

"Even when the rain came people were just happy to be out and people didn't leave.

"Unfortunately for the trainers and owners that put such a commitment to the industry, that set the horses to race certain programs, couldn't race their horses. That I do feel bad about, but on the other side of the coin people made a day out of it and it certainly didn't affect the presence of the day.

"And we had all of the Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne races that we showed on the big screen to watch, so people were entertained. They were respectful as far as the COVID protocol was concerned and they thanked the club for keeping a safe venue for people to go to.

"It introduces people to the town and it introduces people to racing that may or may not have been to our facilities - that we're very proud of and continue to improve."

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