Former winner Darci's Affair nominated to challenge Cootamundra Cup

Trained by Graeme Murray based at Kembla Grange, Darci's Affair is nominated to return to Cootamundra as a nine-year-old after winning the Cup by two lengths as the favourite in 2015.

The gelding is one of 12 horses to be entered in the 1600m event worth $14,000-to-the-winner, and 138 horses throughout the bumper eight race program.

President of the Cootamundra Turf Club Brad Shields says he pleased with this year's nominations.

With the size of the track restricting each race to 12 horses, he's confident most races will have maximum entries.

"We're always pretty lucky," he said.

"We usually get around the mid-100s mark for nominations. We'll know more on Thursday morning with the acceptances but hopefully we get the maximum 12 horses in each race.

"We have 12 nominated for the Cup and at least 15 in every other race, so hopefully we have good fields.

"Overall, very happy. It should be a good day."

Early favourite for the Cup is Luke Pepper's Canberra-based mare O'Princess.

The six-year-old has four straight wins to her name this preparation at races in the nation's capital and South Coast.

Cootamundra will be a drop back in distance from her recent starts over 1750m, 1900m and 2010m.

Last year's trainer of Cootamundra Cup winner Dreams Of Paris, Mitchell Beer of Albury, is expected to return with a couple of runners, however not in the feature event.

Jawwaal and So Magnifique are entered in separate races on the day.

The Peter Clancy-trained Working Together, owned by Cootamundra locals Peter Nott and Margaret Nott, is entered in Class 1 Handicap (1200m).

While Young trainer Debbie Prest, who does track work at Cootamundra, has Love And Desire and Rewarded Princess nominated.

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