The dark days are over for Richie Stephenson.

Buoyed by the news the Toowoomba Turf Club will replace the Cushion track with turf at Clifford Park racecourse, Stephenson returns after a self-imposed exile from the training ranks with Azzaland at Doomben on Saturday.

Azzaland is having his first start since April last year when he suffered a ligament injury to his off foreleg after running third to Buffering in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm.

"He's been back in work for three months but I suppose it's a bit hard to win after 20 months off," Stephenson said.

The eight-year-old has lost none of his ability, winning two trials in Toowoomba leading into Saturday's comeback.

Azzaland was originally handicapped to carry 60.5kg but Stephenson has booked apprentice Tegan Harrison, who has a two kilogram allowance, to reduce the gelding's impost.

Soon after Azzaland was sidelined with injury, Stephenson handed in his training licence after becoming disillusioned with Racing Queensland's decision-making during the Bob Bentley administration.

Stephenson blames Bentley's decision to install a Cushion track at Toowoomba almost five years ago for the decline in racehorse numbers at Clifford Park.

"They were the dark days of Clifford Park but fortunately we can see a light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

"A lot of owners took their horses away and we went from 700 horses to 300 that were based in Toowoomba.

"I know there was a decline in horses in Queensland but in Toowoomba it was exceptional.

"With race fields of five and six runners how much longer could they keep going?"

On Wednesday night, TTC members voted 200 for and only one against to have the Cushion track replaced with a StrathAyr turf track next year.

Stephenson said racing on the Cushion track, particularly in the summer months, took a major toll on horses.

"It knocks them around especially those that got back in the field because pieces of rubber and wax would get lodged in their throats because of the kickback effect," he said.

"A lot of horses also jar up. It was supposed to be cushioned but I can tell you there was no give in it.

"It wasn't for me. It was a rank failure."