Significant question marks still hang over the Tasmanian competition season thanks to social distancing restrictions, which comes after major shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane and mainland winter seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

"This year has been the first since the Spanish Flu that the world championships in Sydney were not held and the other shows have joined them," Foster said this week.

"There were a lot of Tasmanian that were ready to go for Sydney and the other shows, they had organised accommodation because they had to enter four months in advance and they missed out on that.

"At the moment, the first show in Tasmania would be October in Burnie, but there is talk if Hobart [the Royal Hobart Show scheduled for October 21-24] doesn't go ahead, then Burnie, Longford, Launceston also would not.

"That includes the carnivals, so it is all up in the air."

Foster though was quietly confident that restrictions could be relaxed sooner in Tasmania than other states to open up competition and allow some normality to return to the sport.

"It will depend a lot on social distancing and the regulations that will be in place for shows as to when we can compete again," he said.

"I think Tasmania could be up and running sooner than other states if we keep having no cases for another fortnight, I could see us maybe jumping another stage in the reduction of restrictions.

"And if the borders eventually do become open, that will allow the mainlanders to come over but I can't see the internationals that have come down for world titles in the past making the trip.

"We have New Zealanders and Americans who come over and we would love to have them back."

His son Stephen though believed there could still be some issues this season even if restrictions are relaxed via a lack of motivation from competitors during the shutdown.

"When the shows got called off, it definitely had an impact and guys have definitely wondered what is the point of cutting blocks," he said.

"We still don't know if the show season going and until the uncertainty is cleared up."

He was eyeing the Sydney Royal Easter Show as a chance to taste glory and join his father, uncle and grandfather on the Sydney honour board after missing the last Tasmanian season due to injury.

"I was chasing four world titles in Sydney and training every day and when it all got canned, it was tough to take," he said.

"I still have a goal of joining my dad, grandfather and uncle by winning in Sydney."

But there has been a silver lining for the younger Foster.

He is now back to full fitness following his knee problems thanks to his time off and raring to go whenever the sport is given the green light to get going again in 2020.