The Bathurst trainer has Buzzoni and Hamogany lining up in the race, which will see the first two runners automatically qualify for the $500,000 final at Royal Randwick on April 3.

Mirfin has enjoyed a great run of results in the Central Districts qualifier, winning in 2018 with Cosmologist and finishing second last year with Electrified.

This will be the fourth start this campaign for Buzzoni, who started his career in Kris Lees' stable prior to his Bathurst switch last year, while Hamogany hasn't made a start since September.

Buzzoni hasn't missed the top four for Mirfin in his three starts since joining his stable but has yet break through for a win.

Mirfin has been enthused by the gradual improvement he's shown with each run.

"We targeted this race with him from the start of this preparation and we gave him a set program to get there. He's come to every race looking really well and I think he's peaking at the right time and looks ready to run a good race," he said.

"I think it's quite an open race this year. I think there's a couple of smart horses in it, like Healing Hands and Amy's Shadow, who look hard to beat. Behind those two there's a lot of horses with similar form guides and ability and I think he's one of those horses."

Hamogany hasn't had the luxury of a race start this preparation prior to this Sunday.

Having already racked up 20 career starts Hamogany would have been ineligible for the Championships if he took to the track one more time before the series began.

Being by High Chapparal, Hamogany is bred to go longer than this Sunday's 1,400m race but Mirfin believes having a shorter run as his first-up attempt should suit him well.

"We turned him out for a spell after his Bathurst Cup run specifically to bring him back first up in this race, so it's been a five month plan in the making," he said.

"We gave him three trials, since he had 20 starts and he couldn't race again before this. He's a horse that wants 2,000m so the only chance you get to run him in a 1,400m race is first up when he's nice and fresh.

"Hopefully we've done a good job of getting him in the right frame of mind, and he's been trialling very well."

Buzzoni and Hamogany have drawn well in barriers three and five respectively.

"I wouldn't have minded drawing wide with Hamogany because he enjoys having a little bit of galloping room. He would have dropped back anyway," Mirfin said.

"It's a beautiful draw for Buzzoni though. That draw should hopefully make things a bit easier for him."

Bathurst's representation at the Mudgee event will be strong.

Gayna WIlliams fields defending champion Healing Hands, Chevconi and From The Bush while Roy McCabe has last start winner Smart Decision.

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