THE stage is set for the start of the new horse racing season in Nadi next week.
More than 50 horses from the Western Division will grace the tracks in Wailoku, Sabeto.
Race organiser Roman Ali said horse owners from Ba, Lautoka, Nadi and Sigatoka had registered for the event.
Ali said they would hold various races.
He said there would be a category for junior jockeys as well.
"We ended the 2012 season on a high note with a Boxing Day event," Ali said. "The races were held in Wailoku. Next week we will start the new season.
"Horse racing is quite popular in Sabeto.
"The races will vary. We will have the sprints, quarter mile, mile, relay and cross country events.
"The interest in horse racing picked up last year after the revival of the sport in Nadi in 2011.
"There are some promising jockeys. But what we need is to stage more competitions. We are looking for sponsors."
Dyna Kill, owned by Ram Sami Naidu, is the top bet to take out the main races on the day.
Ali said they wanted to hold the races at different venues in the Western Division.
He said the only drawback was the lack of proper venues.
The second horse racing event is planned to be held at Wailoaloa, in Nadi next month.
Horse racing was a major attraction in the Jet Set town in the 1980s and early 1990s with two carnivals being hosted at the famous race course in Carreras, Votualevu.
The course has since been turned into a tobacco farm.