The $10,000 cup is the feature event of the six-race non-TAB card, the second ever meeting for the Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club.

Field Dictator, winner of the Wingham Cup last November, and Gosford mare So Finer, head the 11 nominations for the feature 2100 metre event, with both gallopers rated with a benchmark of 68. Field Dictator is trained at Tuncurry by Terry Evans, who is keen to win his hometown cup having also nominated Steamy Windows and Take Out.

Field Dictator comes into the race with good form, having won over 2000 metres at Taree three runs back before a second at Port Macquarie and a last start fourth to So Finer in the Hannam Vale Cup.

That mare will be the one to beat if she lines up in the cup and repeats her effort at Taree where she beat a quality field by almost six lengths.

Trained by Fred Cowell, the four year-old will be asked to carry more weight this time but will have no qualms at the trip, having placed up to 2400 metres.

In-form Coffs Harbour gelding Tornado Blitz has won three of his last six outings and will take running down again after an impressive win for trainer Jim Herriot over 2562 metres at Taree last month.

Also nominated to make the journey from the Central Coast is Know His Power, a last start Taree placegetter for Grant Allard at Gosford, and Wyong’s Viking Eagle, while maiden filly Sister is an interesting nomination for Hawkesbury’s David Irving.

Other nominations from within the Mid North Coast Racing Association include King Lyphard for Tess Wilkes, Pulse Maker for Ken Faulds and Wannabe for Bob Graham.

The day’s feature sprint, the Saxby’s-Schweppes Benchmark 65 over 1000 metres, has drawn nine entries including Cool Caprice from Gosford, Next Adventure from Muswellbrook and local challengers She Belongs To Us, Stylish Mist and Top Crown.