A quick visit to the Lismore Turf Club yesterday revealed two smiling faces and a track in the best condition it has been in for three years.

The final run down the straight will start today as the VIP marquee arrives and is erected and then decorated on Wednesday, the trackside tables start their set-up, and the trailer stage arrives for the Billy Gudegeon Band.

All signs that the 2023 Metroll Lismore Cup is only two days away.

Scott Jones, Secretary Manager and Daniel Kedraika, Operations Manager of the Lismore Turf Club, are looking forward to a great crowd on Thursday.

(The 2022 VIP marquee on Cup Day. No rain is forecast this year)

"The Stone and Wood VIP enclosure is sold out, so over 500 people will have a good afternoon in the marquee. We have about 20 Trackside Tables this year and there is only a couple left. People had better be quick as we'll close that off today," Scott told the Lismore App.

With mainly general admission tickets left, Scott's tip is to pre-purchase through the Turf Club website.

"If people pre-purchase through the web they can skip the line to get in when they arrive," Scott said, "But people can buy tickets at the gate."

Daniel added, "For those that still have to work on Thursday, we have the 'After The Last' ticket, which is only $10 if you arrive after 4pm. You get to see the last two races, including the Lismore Cup at 4:35pm then rock out to the Billy Gudegeon band once the last race has concluded."

Food and drink will continue to be available during Billy Gudgeon, who will be playing a three-hour set on the lawn where Opera in the Gardens and LisAmore! were held this year.

The record crowd for Lismore Cup Day is around the 5,000 mark and without the half-day public holiday, Scott and Daniel hope to attract 3,000 once-a-year racegoers and concert lovers to the Lismore Turf Club.

It has been a tough run for Scott and Daniel with Covid claiming crowds for two years and last year a huge storm swept through Lismore after the running of two races, cancelling the next four including the Lismore Cup.

Thursday looks to be rain-free and storm-free, with the mercury set to reach 35 degrees. A southerly will bring cooler conditions during the afternoon.

"Actually, I'm just organising the hot weather policy now. The horses are the main concern on hot weather days. We will have portable, cold water stations at the tie-up stalls. Make sure there are heaps of hoses, and we've got sprinkler systems up on the roof. We turn them on so that it cools down the tie-up stalls for them," Scott explained.

"It's standard policy from racing New South Wales."

Thirty-five degrees is not the hottest conditions Lismore has raced in. Scott recalled there was a Christmas Cup Day that was 42 degrees.

With prize money of $75,000, the Lismore Cup usually attracts a strong field but the first two become eligible to enter the $3 million Big Dance race in Sydney so there is more incentive.

So, the stage or track is set for a cracking Lismore Cup race day.

See you Thursday at the Lismore Turf Club.