Beautiful weather, some 2500 racegoers trackside, and a cracking finish to the $150,000 feature race ensured a memorable return to Wagga for the meeting held in Albury for the past two years.

After a crowd-less Gold Cup last year and almost 12 months of major events impacted by heavy restrictions, it has whetted the appetite for a big first week of May.

"It was a really good crowd and we're ecstatic with how the day panned out," Keene said, adding that it offers encouragement ahead of the Cup carnival on May 6-7.

"It definitely does. Everyone was spread out and we could make sure it was COVID-compliant but it was a good little pipe-opener for Wagga Gold Cup in a few months. We're excited."

Gold Cup fever will crank up with the MTC's annual 100 club sponsors event next Friday night.

The club will monitor restrictions in coming weeks before considering what Cup numbers might look like but Keene said the open expanses should help ensure a significant crowd.

The Wagga club hopes the SDRA Country Championships Qualifier will be back next year.

"The day went well crowd-wise, turnover-wise for the industry it was a really strong result and the race itself was just phenomenal, " Keene said.

"It changed complexion a number of times over the last 150 metres and a great result for local horse (Wagga galloper Another One).

"We'd be hard pressed not to get it again next year after putting on such a good display."

The NSW TAB has Another One rated an $11 chance in the $500,000 Country Championships final after the impressive win while runner-up Bautista is quoted at 50-1.

Racing NSW officials were glowing in their praise of the Wagga track, the club facilities and the day's racing and carnival atmosphere on Saturday.

"They clearly said it's the best heat the MTC has hosted. We'll put all the data together and send a report to Sydney and I'd be surprised if there were too many others who have had a day like we had on Saturday," Keene said of their ambition to keep the event next year.

Keene also welcomed news of Racing NSW prizemoney increases. From July 1, races at country TAB meetings will be worth a minimum $24,000 ($15,000 at 'Sky 2' meetings; $10,000 on non-TAB programs; $3000 for country picnic meets).

"It's fantastic for owners, trainers, everyone. It shows they haven't needed to dip into the reserves like they thought might have to during the pandemic. For them to be able to give back to the participants in the way of increased prizemoney is fantastic," Keene said.

There will also be 20 more 'Showcase' meetings at country clubs around the state, carrying prizemoney of $30,000 minimum per race.

"We'll work with Racing NSW. We already have the most number of Showcase days of any club," Keene said.

"They like to have them on their premium tracks and we're clearly the premium track in the SDRA so we'll definitely be putting our hand up."

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