WHILE there is sure to be a bunch of racegoers more interested in the social aspect of Derby Day than the racing, punters looking to find a winner on the track will be in for a treat tomorrow.
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Four of bush racing's top five riders so far in 2014/15 will be in action, led by Cowra jockey Mathew Cahill who has steered home 30 winners since the new racing season started on August 1.
Greg Ryan, who sits in second place on the jockeys premiership, fourth-placed Glenn Lynch and fifth-placed Kody Nestor, will also be in action on the biggest day of the Dubbo racing calendar.
Nestor's effort as a heavyweight rider to be in such a high position is a testament to his work ethic.
In recent times he has ventured to meetings in the southern districts to complement his commitments in both the central west and Hunter areas, but he admits he is looking forward to Derby Day.
"This meeting is a great thing for Dubbo," he said.
"The quality of horse might not be there because it's only a secondary TAB meeting with less prize money but given how big the meeting is I think it should be given a better slot with seven or eight races and the better prize money.
"You go to some places like Bathurst or Muswellbrook for normal meetings and there's about 10 people there. There should be thousands at the track on Saturday making a bit of noise so it should be a good day hopefully."
Nestor has four rides on the six-race program, including first starter Security Code in the Macquarie Inn Maiden Handicap (1000m).
The three-year-old son of star stallion Snitzel is trained by Peter Nestor and heads into tomorrow's race on the back of a fifth-placed finish in a barrier trial at Narromine on October 18.
"He had a trial before he went for a spell, and then came back and trialled the other day and he had improved a lot," Nestor said.
"I've ridden him in both trials and he seemed a different horse the other day when he trialled and hopefully that experience has brough him on again.
"He's owned by some good blokes and even though he's no world beater he should get a good run from barrier four and I think he can be competitive in a race like that."
Nestor won't ride at Dubbo's Melbourne Cup Day meeting on Tuesday, instead heading to Muswellbrook where he will ride last year's Dubbo Cup winner, the Leon Davies-trained Kurtley, in the Muswellbrook Cup.
