It might not quite be Dubbo's biggest party this weekend but there is still plenty of excitement around the annual Derby Day meeting.
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Derby Day at Dubbo Turf Club will look a little different this year with ongoing COVID-19 restrictions meaning it won't be the biggest event on the city's social calendar.
But Turf Club general manager Vince Gordon is still eager to put on a show for those who do attend after the minimal amount of tickets on sale were snapped up earlier this week.
"We're now working on ensuring those who do attend have a great day," he said.
"We've got the big screen with the races on, there's still Fashions on the Field, and there will be seven or eight races.
The action on the track is still certain to entertain those punters in attendance, with nominations again delighting Gordon and the club.
An extra event could be added to the meeting after 194 nominations were received.
Gordon was thrilled with those numbers and he was also delighted by the state of the track despite all the recent rain.
"The nominations were incredible again," Gordon said after nominations were finalised on Tuesday.
"We've had 45ml of rain but we could race today no worries."
There is a chance of more rain ahead of the weekend but Gordon was confident racing will be going ahead.
Five of the seven races attracted more than 28 nominations in another sign of the regard trainers around the region and further afield hold the Dubbo track in.
"The racing has been very competitive recently," Gordon said.
"There's been some from the coast and up north coming as well and the quality locally has been improving."
The most nominations were received for the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m), which received 36, while there were 35 for the Maiden Handicap (1000m).
Trainers Brett Thompson and Rodney Robb, who both scored doubles at last year's Derby Day meeting, were among those and are both well represented across the meeting.
Thompson has put forward 10 chances with two of those heading towards the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000m), which shapes as the race of the day.
The Gulgong trainer nominated All Hollywood and Bensay for the event.
The two four-year-old mares will return from spells this week but also have both been nominated for Friday's meeting at Moree.
Both have started their careers well, with Bensay having two wins from eight starts while All Hollywood has three wins and five placings from 11 starts.
Final fields will be confirmed on Thursday.