NOMINATIONS close on Monday at 11am for Friday's big Mooball, Burringbar and Crabbes Creek Banana Growers and Business Houses race day at Murwillumbah racecourse.

The first for 2012, the meeting is one of the favourite race days on the Tweed River Jockey Club's calendar and will feature the running of two feature cups as part of the eight race TAB card - the Victory Hotel Mooball Cup and the Tweed Valley Bananas Cup.

The doubling-up is the result of the on-going support of local banana growers keen to make good the abandoned September meeting, which usually coincides with the Tweed Banana Festival but was victim to the elements in 2011. The Victory Hotel Mooball Cup is a yearly event at Murwillumbah. It was last run in September, 2010 as a Benchmark 50 handicap over 1510m.

On that occasion third emergency, Flamin' Lucky, the $4 favourite trained by Gerald Ryan, got up in a field of 12, mowing down the leader and runner-up Palands ($4.40) in the shadows of the post.

Friday's race card includes: Benchmark 50 handicap 1000m; Benchmark 55 Handicap (Class 2 & above) 1200m; Benchmark 55 Handicap 2000m; Class 3 Handicap 1400m; Class 1 Handicap 1200m; Maiden Plate 1200m (Set Weights); Maiden Handicap 1400m; Maiden Plate 1000m (3YOs) (Set Weights).

Jockey Club president, Bernie Quinn, told the Daily News things were shaping up for a great day's racing.

"The club is grateful to local Tweed-based sponsors for the sure success of Friday's meeting, and the horses are set to do the rest."

"All patrons have to do is enjoy it."

Gates open at 11.30am. Admission rates are $10 for adults and $8 for concessions. Children under 16 enter free, if accompanied by a parent.