With the Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s track capacity now close to 12,000 people, organisers are expecting Wagga Gold Cup day on Friday, May 7, to be the biggest ever.

The MTC is accustomed to hosting close to 10,000 people on the first Friday in May.

Improvements in recent years to the amenities – including the expansion of the Past The Post marquee – have enabled the club to make their blue riband raceday even bigger.

The carnival will be in full swing on Thursday, May 6, with the running of the $60,000 XXXX Gold Wagga Town Plate.

Four big screens will give a bird’s eye view of the races for those who takes advantage of the strong bookmakers ring and TAB facilities.

A new initiative of the carnival, the trackside marquee on Town Plate Day, promises to make appeal.

All eyes will then turn to the Friday and the feature event – the $130,000 Shep’s Earthmoving Repairs Wagga Gold Cup.

The 2000-metre Listed race has attracted the attention of Australia’s top trainers, including Gai Waterhouse and Graeme Rogerson.

Complementing the Cup will be the $35,000 Jason Wagga Guineas for three-year-olds and six outstanding support races.

Gates will open at 11am and there will be non-stop action – on and off the track –through until the final bar closes at 6.30pm.

Racegoers can take advantage of the bus service which will run from the track to the CBD and suburbs.

The buses will leave from Slocum Street from 5.15pm to 7.30pm on Cup day.