THIRTY one horses have been nominated for this Sunday's $40,000 feature Bathurst Cup at Tyers Park.
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Most of the nominating group are provincially-trained runners with some entries coming from the prominent stables of Gai Waterhouse, Gerald Ryan and Richard Freedman.
Sunday's bumper meeting also includes the Bill Aspros Cup and The Barb Cup, which have attracted 12 and 23 nominations respectively.
As a showcase meeting, all races will carry a minimum of $30,000 prizemoney.
Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing manager Michelle Tarpenning said the timing of the meeting has had a positive impact on numbers.
"We're delighted to have such a strong field of nominations," she said.
"The Bathurst Cup has never been held this late - normally it's a January or February meeting - so it could be a reflection of the timing which Racing NSW has given us, and it's certainly working in our favour.
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"We'll hope that our acceptances hold up, which I'm sure they will given the field sizes we have.
"It's also a Country Showcase meeting which means all our prizemoney is higher so we're looking forward to a great day of racing."
Plenty of quality runners have lined up for a crack at the feature event.
Matthew Stephens' ultra-consistent veteran Charlie Royale is the highest-rated entrant, Waterhouse's Chocolatier (co-trained by Adrian Bott) has been in strong form while former Bathurst resident Bjorn Baker has Fun Fact and Baanone in the nominations.
Dean Mirfin has the sole Bathurst-trained nomination with Sovereignaire.
Tarpenning said the meeting will also be about the off-field fun.
"We received a grant to put on a marquee and show as part of Racing NSW's Next Gen Back to the Track, which is aimed at the under 35 demographic," she said.
"It's encouraging that age group to experience the races, understand what we're doing out here and learn a bit about the industry. It's an initiative we're hoping will be a wonderful success."
Acceptances for the eight race meeting will be declared at 9am on Thursday, at the earliest.