Wellington's Peter Stanley may be flying the flag for the western area in Friday's $75,000 Mudgee Cup.
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Stanley was one of just two trainers from the region to put forward a chance for the feature, with the nominations dominated by Sydney gallopers.
Stanley nominated The Long Run for the $1600m cup race.
The Long Run has been in fine form in recent times, with a two placings to start this preparation followed by a win last time out in open company at Narromine.
Gilgandra's Bryan Dixon nominated Song One but given the calibre of horses put forward he is likely to miss a spot in the final field.
Among the nominations were Regal Stage from the stables of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the Kris Lees-trained High Opinion, and Highly Desired, the Coonabarabran Cup winner who has recently moved to the Hawkesbury stables of Claire Lever.
Out side of Sydney hopes, the Canberra-based mother-and-sons team of Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones has put forward Mookareena.
Mookareena missed out last start but prior to that had won at Kembla Grange and Canberra.
"Even though she hasn't won over 1600m, I'm not too worried as she was placed in the Wagga Guineas over that journey and should have nearly won," Paul Jones told Racing NSW.
"The way Mudgee plays it should suit her racing pattern. If she draws OK, she should be able to sit just behind the pace."
Final fields are released Wednesday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
