Wagga Wagga carnival attracts big names

SYDNEY, April 24 AAP - Sydney and Melbourne trainers have joined their country counterparts to support the two-day Wagga Wagga racing carnival.

The $100,000 Wagga Wagga Town Plate on Thursday is worth six figures for the first time and has attracted 30 nominations while the $140,000 Gold Cup the following day has 34 entries.

Last year's Cup winner Trade Commissioner is one of five entries for Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller who has also nominated Campanology, Index Linked, I'm Imposing and Our Voodoo Prince.

Local trainer Tim Donnelly has engaged Danny Beasley to ride Devised, runner-up in the Cup in 2012 and 2013.

The carnival will be the multiple Group One-winning jockey's first appearance in the saddle since he left Singapore in December.

Murrumbidgee Turf Club chief executive Scott Sanbrook said he was pleased the numbers had stood up to the past few years with 475 horses nominated for the 16 races.

"The nominations are exceptional," Sanbrook said.

"It's great to see such a terrific response to the big races, especially the Town Plate which is now worth $100,000 and is up from $85,000.

"Overall the nominations are as strong as they've ever been. In fact you'd struggle to find a year where they've been better."