Mirfin will have six of his 10 stable members in action and on a day when the mercury is predicted to top 38 degrees, being able to start his horses on their home track is a benefit. Now he just needs some luck in running.

“None of them I would say are standouts or certainties or anything like that, but all the horses that are coming to this meeting should be competitive and if they have some luck, that could bring a good result in for us,” he said.

Mirfin had three from his stable – Cosmologist, Prince Planet and Keymaster – accepted for two events but after scratchings the latter will race in the Bathurst RSL Club Benchmark 67 Handicap (1300m) while the former pair Kings Hotel Class 2 Handicap (1300m).

Of that trio, it is Cosmologist who Mirfin rates as the best prospect. A four-year-old Uncle Mo x Skip Along gelding, he is resuming after almost four months in the paddock.

He ended his last campaign with back-to-back wins, saluting at Bathurst and Dubbo, and the jockey who rode him in those two races – Eleanor Webster-Hawes – will be in the saddle again.

“They’re pretty similar at the moment, but I think Cosmologist is ultimately the best horse. I think he’ll end up the best horse of the three, but the horse is probably going looking for further than 1,300 metres,” Mirfin said.

“At the moment he is very well suited to a 1,300 when he is nice and fresh first up.”

Dubbo trainer Mark Jones will have Nordic Noir going up against Cosmologist and Prince Planet.

There will be a number of Dubbo trainers making the trip to Bathurst and three will feature with strong chances in the day’s final event, the Watermart Benchmark 56 Handicap (1800m).

The Garry Lunn-trained Nightspun will be going for a third straight victory while Justin Stanley’s Wollartant heads into the event in winning form as well.

Connie Greig has two chances, Bel Attrait and Bee Plus, with the former having finished seocnd the past two starts.