THE Murwillumbah Cup Carnival might be just around the corner, but that doesn't mean the Tweed River Jockey Club isn't focused on one of the biggest meetings in its racing calendar.

On Monday, the jockey club will be hosting the traditional Anzac Day races, when the racecourse becomes a community focal point and the venue for the running of the annual Murwillumbah Services Club Anzac Cup.

The meeting still holds onto a certain historical notoriety harking back to when racing was banned on Anzac Day across the border until the mid-1960s.

For one day a year, the little track among the cane fields used to be the focus of the Queensland racing industry and the huge crowds that came along with it.

From the Gold Coast, Brisbane and further north they would come, with cars parked from the racecourse to the sugar mill, a distance of nearly 3km.

It's a far cry from the more placid affairs hosted every 25 April these days. Patronage however, remains at the upper-end and can range anywhere up to several thousand. Monday's program will boast five events with full betting and dining facilities available on course.

The feature cup race, a 2020m Class One plate, will boast some classy runners. Top-weight, Hoagy broke through for his first win at Doomben last month in a mid-week affair over 2220m.

His efforts at Murwillumbah have not been quite as successful, with the best of three attempts culminating in a third place. His Gold Coast-based trainer, Maryann Brosnan, has called on the services of apprentice rider Noriyuki Masuda to partner him for the first time.

He claims 1.5kg, which will take the edge out of the 59.0kg allotted by the handicapper. 　

Another runner to keep an eye on is Godwood, prepared at Beaudesert by Greg Cornish. He finished third over a bit of ground at Ipswich a few weeks ago, and was in the top half of the field when going down to Hoagy on a heavy Doomben track.

Tonna Power and Answered are another couple who have been knocking on the door of late and might provide good value at odds. The event is scheduled for 4.00pm and is race four on the program.

The track is currently rated a Good 4. Weather projections to Monday offer a mixed bag, with mainly sunny conditions forecast and a top temperature of 25C on race day.

Gates open at 12 noon with local band Fat Albert playing live from 1pm. Kids entertainment will be provided by Aussie Bouncin’ Bites and includes the always popular jumping castle.

For car aficionados, upwards of 25 restored vehicles will be on show courtesy of the Mount Warning Historical Car Club.

Returned service personnel enter free on presentation of their badge. Entry is $15. Kids under 16 enter free when accompanied by an adult.