Seven races were scheduled, however, with 35 nominations in the 1280 metre Maiden Plate a division is likely, making an eight race program.

One of the feature attractions outside of racing will be the Fashions in the Field, and a strong contingent of contestants will “face the starter” in this event.

Musical entertainment will also be provided, as well as face painting and free rides for the children.

TV screens will be set up for the benefit of those wishing to watch the Rugby League grand finals.

The Cup: Feature race on Sunday is the $25,000 Darley Denman Cup (1450m) and one of the strongest fields in years is expected to line up in this year’s cup.

A field of 18 nominated for the cup, but due to publishing deadlines final acceptances were not available.

Recent Moree Cup winner, Geigeron, will be endeavouring to win his second successive Denman Cup, having set a new track record for 1450 metres in winning this race last year.

Trained at Broadmeadow by Steve Hodge, Geigeron has been in good form, but the 9 year old gelding found the opposition a bit stiff in the recent Cameron Handicap at Broadmeadow, in which he ran unplaced.

Festus Hagen, trained by Kris Lees at Newcastle, is a recent winner at Randwick (Kensington Track) and is likely to start favourite on Sunday. At his last start the 5 year old gelding finished second to Looking Fur Lang in an open handicap (1300m) at Scone on September 13, and should be hard to beat in the cup.

Darneasy, the winner of two races at Muswellbrook, has strong prospects of adding the Denman Cup to that tally.

Trained at Scone by Greg Bennett, the 4 year old mare is raced by a syndicate of 10, headed by Denman resident, Craig Benjamin, who would dearly love to be hoisting the Denman Cup trophy above his head come Sunday.

Darneasy has a win and two seconds to her credit from her last three starts.

Another cup prospect, Little Britain, trained out west by Gayna Williams, is racing in good form with two wins and one unplaced run (at Scone) since resuming from a spell.

Local trainer Justin Drake has nominated recent Mudgee winner Season’s Best, in the Cup. Another Muswellbrook trainer Jeff Englebrecht, will be represented by well performed mare, Markworthy.

Trainer Evan Holland will make the trek from Wyong with his cup runner All Time Champ, a recent winner over 1400 metres at Newcastle. The 6 year old son of Danehill (USA) has won three from 19 starts.

All other races on Sunday have been well supported by trainers from over a wide area.