A record number of nominations have been received for this Saturday’s Glen Innes Cup following the washout of the Inverell and Wallabadah race day meets, ensuring the Cup will be one of the most hotly contended.

Large crowds are expected to flock to the track for the once a year meet. Although isolated showers and thunderstorms are predicted for the remainder of the week. Glen Innes Jockey Club Vice President and Publicity Officer Brendan Campbell said the meeting would still go ahead.

“It is probably going to be the biggest ever,” he said.

There are 165 nominations the largest the six race non-TAB meet has ever received. There are 20 nominations in the Glen Innes Cup with one race receiving 46 nominations. With a limit of 14 horses per race if the nominations exceed the capacity by the final acceptance today RacingNSW will ballot out the horses on performance and other criteria.

Locals to watch are resident racecourse trainer Mathew O’Meara with Tatts Star in the Maiden Plate (1000m), trainer Bruce O’Hara with two nominations for the day Yamadi’s Pride (Maiden Plate) and Alittlesceptical (Benchmark 45 handicap 1400m) and jockey Darren Jones.

Gates will open at noon with the first race expected to run at about 1pm.

The Lioness club in the kitchen and the Lions Club will conduct catering after the last race. There will be a jumping castle for the kids and Green Limousine will again provide entertainment on the track after the last race.

Two bars and a can van will operate with the new addition of a champagne bar on trial this year. Jockey Club Secretary Patsie Newsome said the bar would operate out of a window at the bottom bar and was an advantage for mothers or ladies who did not wish to enter the bar area but who wished for a glass of champagne. Ms Newsome said if the champagne bar was a success this year it could become a champagne tent next year.

The wristband system used in previous years will operate again with a new style of wristband that cannot be removed and has a number. Jockey Club Licencee and Bar Manager Ivan Benko said anyone who looks under the age of 25 has to expect to be asked for identification. If you do not have identification you will not be served no exceptions, as the club will not accept vouching, he said. Differing from previous years anyone under the age of 18 will not be permitted into the bar area.

Sergeant Laurie Cattell said anyone who has consumed too much alcohol or is causing trouble would be ejected from the grounds.

“We don’t want to stop people having a good time. We ask people to drink responsibly and when the bar staff say they have had enough to listen,” he said.

Sgt Cattell said the highway patrol would be on duty conducting mobile breath tests around the racetrack.

“The best advice is if you come and intend to drink don’t bring your car. If you are intending to drink plan to leave your car here, get a taxi or the courtesy bus or better still have a designated driver,” he said.

A courtesy bus will operate from the track to Grey Street from 9:30pm. The bar will close at 10:30pm