Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller is expected to nominate a strong team to defend his Wagga Gold Cup crown and he is expected to be joined by some of Sydney's biggest stables.

Peter and Paul Snowden will target the Cup with last-start Randwick winner Gypsy Diamond, while John O'Shea, Joe Pride, Tony McEvoy, Kris Lees and Tim Martin have all indicated they will have runners at Wagga.

Murrumbidgee Turf Club chief executive Scott Sanbrook could not be happier with how the carnival is coming together.

"It's shaping up sensationally," Sanbrook said.

"There has been so much interest shown from leading metropolitan stables and there is also a strong group of locals at the moment as well which augers for a very successful carnival."

Nominations for the two big days of the carnival will be released at 11am on Friday.

Gypsy Diamond, owned by Ron Finemore, claimed the group three $150,000 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday.

In-form jockey Sam Clipperton is likely to travel to Wagga for the ride.

Other jockeys confirmed for both days of the carnival are Tommy Berry, Blake Shinn, Kathy O'Hara and Wagga boy Danny Beasley.

Hugh Bowman has indicated he will ride on Cup day.

Godolphin is looking towards the Gold Cup with Malice, while beaten Albury Gold Cup favourite Self Sense is also expected to be a Wagga starter.

Index Linked and Our Voodoo Prince, who both finished down the track behind Gypsy Diamond last Saturday, are expected to be two of Waller’s candidates.

MTC director Brett Bradley is likely to be represented by the Waller-trained Campanology.

Bradley hopes to go one better than another of his horses, Beyond Thankful, who was runner up in last year’s Cup.

There is again expected to be a strong presence from provincial and Canberra stables also.