Despite there being no local contenders to free from the barriers in the Robert Oatley Vineyards Mudgee Cup Showcase (1600 metres), spectators will be on the edge of their seats from the jump with big names in the running.

Mookareena from the Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones' (Canberra) stable has drawn barrier one, alongside Nicole Hudson's (Newcastle) Invicta in two and Claire Lever's (Hawkesbury) Highly Desired in three.

Regular Mudgee visitor Kris Lees has two chances in the Cup with High Opinion and six-year-old Chalmers vying for the $35,250 prizemoney.

Petrology (Nathan Doyle), Regal Stage (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bolt), Radipole (Matthew Smith), Shock Alert (Bjorn Baker), The Long Run (Peter W Stanley), No Escape (Terry Croft), and Song One (Bryan Dixon) round out the remainder of the field.

Four trainers from the Mid-Western Region however will be showcasing some of their products across the eight race meet, with Brett Thompson's Winter Moon and Bow Howe's Debasement featuring in the Hamilton Island Country Maiden Showcase Plate (1200 metres) with David J Smith's Give Away the second emergency.

Mack Griffith's Lifetime Quest will be the only local representative in race four in a field of nine, the same scenario for Griffith's Scottish Soldier in the fully booked Aurelia Premium Australian Cuvee Class 1 Showcase Handicap (1400 metres).

Howe duo, Petain and Northern Conqueror will run in the Wild Oats Benchmark 66 Showcase Handicap (1400 metres) against Mudgee local Cameron Crockett's (Scone) Velaro and Brother Bassy.

Thompson's All Hollywood and Smith's Intense Passion will each also get a run on the day.

The first race on December 4 at the Mudgee Racecourse will jump at 1.04pm with the barriers to free for the Mudgee Cup at 4.44pm.