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By Julieanne Horsman

A staggering 395 nominations have been received for next week’s two-day Wagga Gold Cup Carnival.

All bar one of the 16 races are over capacity, with the two feature races attracting double the number of nominations for places.

“This year’s carnival nominations are among the strongest we have ever seen,” Murrumbidgee Turf Club CEO Scott Sanbrook said. “The numbers are great and the quality is there as well.”

31 horses have nominated for 16 places in the $110,000 Wagga Town Plate.

29 horses are hopeful of securing one of 16 places in the $150,000 Listed Wagga Gold Cup. Among the contenders is last year’s 3rd placegetter, Adirondack, who was impressive as he chased home Messene and Iggi Pop.

“We’ll have some of the most powerful stables in Australia at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club and there’ll be plenty of locals trying to win as well,” Mr Sanbrook said.

Across the two days more than $650,000 in prizemoney is offer.

“The big prizemoney is a powerful lure and Wagga has an excellent track,” Mr Sanbrook said.

“We’ve got great grass coverage and trainers know their horse will have every chance here.

“Then there’s the atmosphere. Plenty of trainers book a marquee and host a function for their owners. Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones have been doing that for years.”

Up to 20,000 people from near and far are expected to descend on the Murrumbidgee Turf Club next Thursday 4th and Friday 5th May.

Off the track, the Kristopher Graydon Jewellers Fashions On The Field will be hotly contested with more than $15,000 in prizes up for grabs across five categories.

William Hill Media Representative Sarsha Cassidy, Channel 10 News Reporter Georgina McKerrow and renowned Sydney Milliner Carla Murley will be on hand to judge.

“The fashion at the Wagga Gold Cup is always first class and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up for a fantastic two days of racing,” Mr Sanbrook said.

View the nominations for the Wagga Town Plate Day here.

View the nominations for the Wagga Gold Cup Day here.