Armidale trainer Lea Selby appears to hold the key to the 2200m Benchmark 50 with her veteran stayer Moss Garden nominated alongside stablemate Aussie Fleet, a three-year-old filly who is facing her first test at the distance.

Adding to the Armidale presence in the race is the Robert Knight trained Binjai who is a dour stayer with a last start third in better company to recommend his chances, while Port Macquarie veteran Goldcoyne always races well at Bowraville.

The 1000m Benchmark 45 will see a capacity field line up with Cessnock raider Handled the highest rated nominee. Handled has been racing consistently in better races and he should start favourite if trainer Todd Howlett makes the trip.

Making Handled’s task difficult on Saturday will be Locomotive Breath who won at Bowraville in September and last start Wauchope winner The Hankinator.

There is certain to be a festive Cup day atmosphere at Bowraville on Saturday afternoon to supplement the spectacle of the action on track and the Nambucca River Jockey Club is geared up to host another big crowd of race-goers in the lead up to the much-awaited Boxing Day fixture.