by Nicholas Duck
After years of being lost in the wilderness the Drouin and District Racing Club are confident this is the year they can get back on track - literally.
The club, which hosts a picnic racing Boxing Day meet each year, has been cruelled by a series of setbacks that led to them hosting just one fully attended meeting since 2019.
COVID lockdowns, poor weather and a crossing that wasn't quite up to scratch have all contributed to the club's issues in recent times.
But now is the time for their comeback, according to club president Mark Leighton after the track passed an inspection from Country Racing Victoria.
"We've got a really good clean bill of health. They were happy with the rail, they were happy with the condition of the turf," he said.
"That's where a lot of our focus has been this year, to get the track right."

The club's issues began in 2020 with the advent of COVID lockdowns. Wi