"The gelding hasn't raced for 18 months but after two trials and his first-up race at Muswellbrook for fifth, he could be right in the finish," Hodge said.

He was the trainer of now retired French Gift for the same owners and it in 63 starts won seven races and was placed another 11 for prizemoney of about $165,000, four of the wins were in a row at Newcastle (three) and Wyong, as well as one being at Randwick.

"Geegeeaye's has had two trials and one race start and will have the services of Port Macquarie jockey Ben Looker," Hodge said.

Looker has been thirsty for wins again this season and on Tuesday won three races at Grafton, to take his tally this season to 27.

Hodge said some horses recover from a bowed tendon and the long spell where "we forgot about him" proved mending material for Geegeeaye which is in the Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1600m at Taree.

"The horse does a lot of swimming and seems to be enjoying himself even though he is an eight-year-old.

"I don't care if he is one of the favourites...it would be good to see him win again after so long off the scene."

The makeup of the field could favour Geegeeaye as some of the top hopes in the nominations are also nominated at other meetings.

The probable favourite, if he starts, is seven-year-old Port gelding Dangerous Dan, trained by Matthew McCudden, but it is also accepted for Coffs Harbour on Saturday.

"My horse once raced on Saturday and went good in another race on Monday so we will see what happens," McCudden said.

"Rain is forecast for up north and even if he races at Coffs he could still run at Taree.

"I was surprised at how well my horse went in the Port Cup (beaten about four lengths over 2000m) and I am also looking at a race in Sydney as well as the Taree Cup in the future ($100,000 Taree Cup is over 2000m on November 21).

"I have a few options but at the moment he is in the best physical condition I have had him in," he said about the popular winner of the Woop Woop Cup at Wauchope nearly two years ago.

Other hopes in the race could be five-year-old Coffs Harbour gelding Express Dragon, trained by Sally Taylor and Harry And The Duke, from the Cessnock stable of well-travelled trainer Jeremy Sylvester.

Express Dragon won last start over 1400m at Casino whereas Harry And The Duke has won at the distance at the track in one of its five wins and six placings in 63 starts.

Looker again could be the pin-up jockey with punters he also having some handy hopes in other races.

He rides Chelsea Magic for Taree trainer Matthew Robinson in the Class 1 Handicap over 1000m,first-starter Dollydo for Gosford trainer Angela Davies in the Maiden Plate over 1000m and Loniesha for Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer in the Maiden 1300m.

Three-year-old filly Dollydoo went well with a second in a Newcastle trial.

Racegoers are in for some spectacular local racing along with the Melbourne Cup and races from other tracks beamed to the course.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: