Interest in the Wagga Gold Cup continues to grow with a big jump in nominations for the $170,000 feature at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Friday.
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Some of the country's biggest stables are represented among the 36 entries, the highest number since Scream Machine's narrowest of wins in 2013.
Eight more nominations have been received than last year.
It's something new Murrumbidgee Turf Club chief executive Steven Keene is thrilled with.
"The fields are really strong so it is very exciting for the club," Keene said.
"There are lots of metropolitan representation as well as the locals so it is a really good mix that will make for an exciting day."
He believes the facilities at Murrumbidgee Turf Club are a big attraction for trainers.
Abdon, owned by Richard Pegum, Alward, Black On Gold, Hogmanay and My Nordic Hero are in the running to represent the champion trainer as he looks for back-to-back wins following a breakthrough success with Life Less Ordinary last year.
After having favourite Tally scratched at the barriers last year, the Godolphin stable is set to have their first runner in the cup with James Cummings nominating Morton's Fork after a third in the Easter Cup at Caulfield on Saturday.
Keene believes it is great to have 'The Blue Army' back.
"Last year was unfortunate but they are back again to hopefully have a better experience this year," he said.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Anthony Cummings, Peter and Paul Snowden, Anthony Freedman and David Payne also have horses nominated.
Freedman was two runners, last start Easter Cup winner Plein Ciel and Japanese import Ambitious.
There has also been a jump in entries for the $150,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) however the same top level quality isn't there following Santa Ana Lane and Coolring's success in the past two editions.
It could make for a good chance for the strong local contingent among the 35 nominations, four more than last year.
Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary has Up Trumpz nominated as he looks to go back-to-back in the feature sprint.
$170,000 Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) nominations
Abdon (Chris Waller), All Too Soon (David Payne), Alward (Chris Waller), Ambitious (Anthony Freedman), Animalia (Matthew Dale), Ariel Miss (Wendy Church), Black On Gold (Chris Waller), Blue Seal (Rodger Waters), Charlie Royale (Matthew Stephens), Class Clown (Chris Heywood), Dark Eyes (Matthew Dale), Emperor's Way (Paul and Peter Snowden), Gentleman Max (Trevor Sutherland), Green Sweet (Danny Williams), Hayne Plane (Peter Kirby), High Opinion (Kris Lees), Hogmanay (Chris Waller), Itsa Fait Accompli (David Blundell), Lady Mironton (Wayne Carroll), Morton's Fork (James Cummings), My Nordic Hero (Chris Waller), My Psychiarist (Doug Gorrel), Naivasha (Jarrod Robinson), O'Lonera (Cindy Alderson), Plein Ciel (Anthony Freedman), Resort (Natalie Jarvis), Screamarr (Anthony Cummings), Spunlago (Ron Stubbs), Tahsin (Joe Pride), Taikomochi (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott), Tinkermosa (John Sargent), Valentino Rossa (Jason Coyle), Why Me Lord (Ron Steiner), Willi Willi (Craig Widdison), Willy White Socks (Trevor Sutherland), Zarlu (Peter Morgan)
$150,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) nominations
Anna's Joy (Paul Niceforo), Bondo (Kerry Weir), Camdus (John Thompson), Cattledog Cod (Kerry Weir), Clear The Beach (Gregory McFarlane), Delivered (Chris Heywood), Dylan's Deeva (Nick Olive), Fermanagh Lad (Chris Heywood), Flash Fibian (Graeme Murray), Forever Newyork (Gary Colvin), Ghostly (David Pfieffer), Golden Tycoon (Gregory McFarlane), Got The Goss (Trevor McIlrick), Grunderzeit (Peter Clancy), Kooringal Star (Mark Gee), Levee Bank (Gratz Vella), Manzana (Joseph Ible), Mercurial Lad (Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones), Molasses (Dennis Bush), Music Magnate (Bjorn Baker), My Maher (Trevor Sutherland), Nicof (George Osborne), Noble Joey (Robert and Luke Price), Not Too Sure (Chris Heywood), Old Man Sam (Michael Tubman), Oriental Runner (Garry Neale), Rafha's Choice (Graeme Murray), Stephan (Gratz Vella), Stone Cold (Sarah Murray-Leslie), Sure And Fast (Michelle Ritchie), Takookacod (Scott Spackman), Tougherthantherest (Keith Dryden), Up Trumpz (Joe Cleary), Warragul (Sylvia Thompson), Who's Knocking (Trevor McIlrick)
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