It's a near-certainty there will be just the two heats of the Winter Country Classic again contested at Dubbo Turf Club despite a huge amount of nominations for the second edition of the series.
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The two heats headline next Monday's meeting, which attracted 219 nominations.
The two heats - one for male and one for female horses - drew 35 and 31 nominations respectively.
With just 14 slots in the June 12 final, Dubbo Turf Club general manager said it's unlikely a third heat will be created.
An extra race on Monday, on top of the original eight, for those who do miss out on a start in the heats is a possibility.
Bathurst trainer Gayna Williams won the inaugural Winter Country Classic last year with Skin Deep and is set to be in the mix again after nominating Feverish and Miss Hugo A Gogo for the fillies and mares' heat and Western Parade for the colts and geldings' event.
The series is for country-trained horses only and is a benchmark 58 event.
There are a host of Dubbo horses in the mix while trainers from the likes of Tamworth, Muswellbrook, and the Canberra region also among the bumper numbers.
The McDonald's Dubbo and Wellington Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000m) is the day's other main event and attracted 20 nominations.
"They're exceptional nominations," Gordon said of the meeting.
"It's just the ongoing story of the popularity of the track surface, the strength of the industry locally, and the ability to attract visitors."
The final fields will be confirmed on Thursday.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
