While the town was one of the worse affected, the track has escaped any damage and trainers are doing their bit to help with 70 horses nominated for the six-race card.

Forecasters are predicting heatwave conditions of around 40 degrees on Saturday, but Southern District Racing Association chief steward Jason Schultz says the meeting is on target to proceed.

"On Thursday we'll get a better idea of what it (weather) is going to be like when we get acceptances, but at this stage everything is normal unless conditions change," Schultz said.

"We'll continue to monitor the conditions, but level two of the hot weather policy will be in place should the forecast not change between now and then.

"There's things put in place like no parading of horses before races, and limiting the time the horses are behind the barriers.

"There's quite a bit of shade at the track and hopefully we can run the meeting."

Fires prevented any watering on the track for over two weeks, but around 50mm of rain about a week ago arrived at the ideal time.

"Because of the fires we couldn't water and couldn't do our maintenance, but we've had a couple of inches of rain and furiously been watering the track," Tumbarumba Turf Club publicity officer Ed Lauder said.

Lauder said the meeting is a welcome chance for the community to let their hair down after the ordeals of the last few weeks.

"A lot of trainers are saying they're coming up to support the races and the community," he said.

"The Cup nominations (13, with eight to run) are very strong, there's some good horses in it.

"If they come in and support the race meeting and spend some money, they're supporting the town.

"Half the admission fee will go to the local firies. We're trying to get a bit of normality back into the place, even if only for a weekend."

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