Always a highlight of the racing calendar, the cup continually attracts a top class field of quality pacers and this year is certainly no exception. 

Inter Dominion-winning trainer, driver Steve Turnbull has the logical favourite Oh I Am The One engaged and from gate three looks ideally drawn for the 2100 metre event. 

The four-year-old Gotta Go Cullen gelding has won eight races from 27 starts and includes a convincing Blayney Cup win last weekend, making it six wins from his last seven outings. 

The distance will suit and the track should not be a problem with wins at Blayney, Menangle, Eugowra and Bathurst.  

The danger is certainly Itcan Happen for Shane Hillier. The Success Stud-bred six-year-old won at Albury last start, the Four Starzz Shark gelding now the winner of 12 races with 21 placings to his credit. 

Others with claims are certainly the pole marker Ruato Bay for Terry Coelli and Mal Diebert, the winner of a series heat at Young in mid-October and then fifth in the Menangle final. 

Bernie Hewitt and Mat Rue will combine with Kastsidis from gate seven, while the Grenfell-trained Holy Camp Clive could surprise from an awkward gate.

Racing opens with a competitive capacity field of 10. 

The main chances appear to be Shazam Shannon from gate two for trainer Peter Bullock, Seeking Dreams for Ellen Bartley and Tulhurst Ace for Nathan Hurst. 

The backmarker Raging Rhuben ran an eye-catching second at Dubbo last time out, after racing wide and could be in the firing line in this over a shorter distance. 

The second of the night is the David Hodges Memorial and the free running Spanish Lustre looks the winner if he gains a start in this feature race. 

A model of consistency, the flashy six-year-old is a Young track winner and his recent form would suggest that another win is definitely on the cards. 

His dangers are Kapow Shannon and the highly-rated Uncle John for Anthony Frisby. His form is first class with three wins from five starts, the most recent at Blayney last Sunday afternoon. 

Last start winner Smokin Bopper is gradually finding form and could well be the knockout horse in this. 

An Encouragement Stakes is race three, Dawson Street from gate two should be the one to chase home from a good gate. 

Having two wins from his last five starts at Bathurst and Canberra, the Courage Under Fire gelding will have the services of Madi Young and she likes to lead. 

Dangers are Alabama Ace and possibly Hijackapipi from an ideal gate, the New Zealand-bred four-year-old is due for a change of luck after some good honest efforts in recent weeks. 

Moving on to race four and here the chances are Buzzy Bowen who has won two from three, Padabang Stride for Steve Turnbull, the Village Jasper pacer last won on this track back on June 20 and this could be a return to the scene of the crime. 

Wake Up Quin ran third at Wagga on Tuesday night and that could be the run he needed, the seven-year-old is a veteran of 108 starts with a total of 11 wins and 21 minor placings. 

Keep an eye on Idle Hands from gate one, he could surprise. 

Race six is possibly the hardest race of the night, the Encouragement Stakes.

The Wombat-trained Concertina is better drawn here than at Canberra last Monday, her form on paper is not good but she did show a vast improvement in winning two starts back at Canberra after leading and fighting back in the straight.

Her mile rate in that win was 2:01.8 and in this type of race could be there at the finish. 

The Cowra-trained Flytomo won at Young in July and has not repeated that performance since but this could be the night. 

The David Micallef-trained Fake Art is another runner who needs to break through for another win, her last winning run was at Dubbo in August. 

The daughter of Art Major from the Fake Left mare She Aint Faken will be driven by Nic Dewar who drove the horse at Junee when she ran a good second. Let’s hope the she can improve in this. 

Terry Powter has Lucky Shannon in race seven - a hard race - but one that should produce a well priced winner. 

Our Lansdown Road has been consistent with placings at Bathurst and Blayney and a breakthrough here would not surprise. 

Steve Turnbull has Cullectomatic engaged in this from a tricky gate but the stable is firing well at the moment and she may surprise together with the Grenfell-trained Gubbata for Robert Anderson. 

The final race of the night is race eight and here the selection is for Midnight Casino to defeat Kensully and Trunkeygus in what should be an entertaining conclusion to a great night of racing. 

Midnight Casino has been placed at Parkes, Blayney and Dubbo and has had only five race starts in his career for Kenneth Sharp from Eugowra. 

Kensully was second at Junee beaten 1.8 metres and could be the pacemaker while Trunkeygus was second at Dubbo beaten only half head.

All in all, given fine weather, the night should be one of excitement and entertainment not to be missed.