Some of Australia's leading trainers - including reigning Melbourne Cup winner Mark Kavanagh will target Sunday's $200,000 Canberra Cup at Thoroughbred Park.
The Canberra Racing Club received 20 nominations yesterday for its feature long-distance race, 13 fewer than last year.
But while the numbers were down, the quality remained intact.
Kavanagh will bring last-start Ballarat Cup winner Itstheone for the Canberra Cup. It will be the trainer's first runner in the ACT's most sought-after staying event.
Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse (Emotional Outburst), Peter Snowden (Spinney), Gary Portelli (Aristocratico), Graeme Rogerson (Barlagarney), Chris Waller (Bright Mind), Kim Waugh (Delago Star) and Paul Cave (Dothis Dothat) have also nominated.
Leading Canberra trainers Barbara Joseph (Vintage Rock), Nick Olive (Predominance), Bernie Howlett (Macknuckle) and Steven O'Brien (Bepina) are also represented.
Canberra Racing Club chief executive Peter Stubbs was pleased with the quality of the entries.
He admitted having Kavanagh a well known and widely-liked racing personality support the main race was a significant boost, especially given it's only three weeks since he won the Melbourne Cup with Shocking.
''If they all accept, which we won't find out until Thursday, then it will be an absolutely great field,'' Stubbs said.
''There's a good mix of high-level horses as well as plenty of locals in there who should get their chance to bring the Cup back home.
''Kavanagh's input is great so hopefully that horse comes down and performs admirably for its connections.''
The last Canberra-trained galloper to win the Canberra Cup was Testa Grande for Keith Dryden in 2007.
Former Group1 winner Blutigeroo won last year's race.
The form from the race 12 months ago has proven to be strong.
Ista Kareem, who finished 13th in the Canberra Cup, progressed to win the $725,000 Group1 Sydney Cup in April.
And fourth-place getter Ready To Lift dominated the Sydney staying races immediately after the Canberra race, winning the Christmas and Summer cups.
Stubbs sent SMSs to several interstate trainers six weeks ago alerting them of Sunday's race, to increase his chances of attracting a quality field.
Canberra trainer Joseph will saddle up Vintage Rock in the feature.
It will be the mare's second run in nine days following her fourth-placing in Friday's Goulburn Cup (1600m).
''She came here this morning and looked really well and fresh,'' Joseph said.
Sydney jockey Peter Robl will ride Vintage Rock.
He will be joined by other leading jockeys Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy as riders already confirmed for the meeting.
A maximum of 16 horses can contest the Canberra Cup. Up to four emergencies can also be named.
Weights for Sunday's eight-race program are released today. Acceptances are due tomorrow morning.
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