Doug Carroll is 94 and doesn't like being "cooped up" during these uncertain times, which is why he is hopeful the iconic Louth races goes ahead in August despite the chaos caused by COVID-19.
"It would be lovely, I look forward to Louth ever year. I catch up with a lot of friends," Mr Carroll said of the races near Bourke, in western New South Wales.
He has been standing as a bookmaker since 1955 and has claims to be the world's oldest — the Guinness Book of Records has the mark currently set at age 88.
"Everyone keeps saying to me 'when are you going to retire?' I say 'when I don't know what I'm doing'."
The racing veteran has been frequenting meetings at Louth for more than 50 years.
"The races keep my mind active. If I had to sit in my home like this every day for the rest of my life, I think I'd rather just pass on."
No sure thing that races will run
Racing in the village dates back to the 19th century, when the Louth Christmas races were held on December 27, 1880.
The popular bush meet now attracts a crowd of around 6,000 people, much more than the town's usual population of 43.
It had been scheduled for August 8 this year, however local organisers are waiting for country racing to resume as coronavirus restrictions are gradually lifted.
But time is running out.
"A decision will be made by the committee within two weeks," Louth Turf Club president Jim Strachan said.
"We were hoping to race but I don't like the chances now."
After three years of drought, the nearby communities of Bourke and Cobar are doing it tough and have banked on the Louth races to boost their economies.
Country racing during COVID-19
Racing New South Wales proceeded with some country meetings during the pandemic but without crowds, something Mr Strachan said was not viable for his club.
"There's numerous other small clubs that make money from our races, and without a crowd we're too isolated to hold a race meeting just for the horses and a very small crowd — there'd be no point in it," he said.
"First and foremost as a race club and as a committee is the health and wellbeing of the people who support us and our racegoers, and if there's any chance something will go wrong, we won't race."
"We will follow the rules."
The Racing NSW board met earlier this week to discuss prize money, race dates and a timetable for the return of bookmakers and crowds to racecourses around the state.
"Louth is obviously an iconic, non-TAB meeting in New South Wales, arguably the most iconic," said Racing NSW executive general manager Scott Kennedy.
"It's coming up reasonably soon, so we will work with the club to see what can be done."
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said he was hoping to have crowds back at the races by next month — whether that extended to bush meetings was uncertain.
The racing chief is also responsible for engineering the early return of the NRL in his role as Australian Rugby League chairman.
"Racing NSW is in continual dialogue with the appropriate authorities at the highest level, and within the constraints of the public health orders, we are doing our best to get racing back to normal as soon as possible," he said.
The Louth races remain on the calendar for now.
