PUNTERS and party-goers were in their element at the Railway Hotel Allora Cup at the Warwick Turf Club at the weekend as blue skies prevailed for the Blues, Brews and Barbecues race day.

More than 500 people streamed through the gates at Allman Park to mark the return of the Allora Cup, which last ran in 1959 at the Allora racetrack.

Warwick Turf Club president Jim Costello said he was pleased to see the reinstating of the Allora Cup and for it to come to the Warwick Turf Club.

"It's good to see the cup dragged out of the archives and we hope to keep it alive for many years to come," he said.

While many Allora locals took advantage of the return of the Allora Cup and gathered groups of friends and family to enjoy the day, a large part of the crowd was made up of various groups from afar who had come to experience a good old country race day.

After seeing the event advertised on the internet, Brisbane man Patrick Bond said he decided to bring his party of 40 to celebrate his 50th birthday at the country race meet.

"We are all big drinkers and punters, so what better place to celebrate my 50th," he said.

"It's been an excellent day, nice and laidback."

Another large group from Brisbane who have been making an annual pilgrimage to Warwick for many years for a golfing weekend, were happy to add a day at the races to their agenda and tried their luck in the betting ring.

The crowd was treated to an excellent racing field with the numbers and quality of racehorses far exceeding expectations.

Mr Costello said the field was gratifying.

"This has been one of the better meets in regards to the overall calibre of racing," he said.

"Acceptances for the Allora Cup were way above expectations for a benchmark 70 race."

Owners, trainers and jockeys shared in $30,000 prizemoney for the day with Toowoomba racehorse owner Daryl Peckett taking out the Allora Cup with Ain't She Sweet.

Mr Peckett said he was thrilled with the performance of his four-year-old bay mare and the hard work by trainer Wayne Baker

"This is her sixth win out of 27 starts," he said. "I'm pretty pleased with that."

The success of the day was largely attributed to the hard work of Southern Downs councillor Glyn Rees who organised sponsorship for the event.

Mr Costello said without sponsorship country race meets would not be possible.

"A huge thanks goes to all the sponsors for their support and the Railway Hotel for being the major sponsor of the day."