Nyack heads quality field for Carnival of Cups opener

5 November 2026

Inter Dominion and Victoria Cup placegetter Nyack will have to overcome a tough barrier, a Queensland Derby winner and the might of the Jason Grimson and Brad Hewitt stables if he is to make a winning start to the 2026/27 Carnival of Cups series on Friday night.

The Group 3 Bidgee Cup (2800m) at Wagga is the opening round of the five-leg series and has brought together one of the deepest fields we have seen since the Carnival of Cups began.

This can be attributed to Harness Racing NSW's revamp of the Carnival of Cups bonus scheme, introducing a $100,000 bonus points system that will reward consistency across the five feature races that headline the popular regional series.

The initiative will see horses competing in each leg of the Carnival of Cups series accumulate points relative to their finishing position, with the owners of the three highest points-scoring horses at the end of the series sharing in a $100,000 bonus pool.

The change aims to recognise horses that consistently perform at a high level across the entire series, rather than just the winners, to add depth to the series and keep the competition alive right through to the final meeting

The 2026/27 carnival also sees a prizemoney boost with each leg of the series now worth $100,000, up from $60,000.

The line-up for the Bidgee Cup suggests connections are keen to embrace the new format and the inclusion of the popular Nyack, given his recent Group 1 form, adds plenty of quality to the race.

He brings the standout form lines to the Bidgee Cup having pushed the flying Captains Mistress when beaten only 1.3m into second in the Victoria Cup last start.

It was his second Group 1 placing behind the wonder mare in recent months having finished third to her and the champ Leap To Fame in July's Inter Dominion Final.

It is stellar form for Wagga, a circuit where Nyack is right at home having won three of four attempts there, scoring from the back row in his last visit two starts back.

He is as tough as they come but he will need to be from the outside of the second line, especially given there are some progressive younger rivals starting on the front row.

That list is headed by Queensland Derby winner Palladium who will start from barrier two should the emergencies come out.

The former Kiwi comes in on a winning note having beaten a handy field in good style at Menangle last week.

Expect the staying trip to suit him as he already has that Derby in Brisbane over 2680m and Victoria Derby heat at 2760m on his resume.

He is one of three starters for Brad Hewitt and the one starting on his inside, Forever Onthe Punt , in particular looks a player.

He is progressing rapidly having kicked off for Hewitt with three straight Menangle wins before a brave second to Eureka hopeful Double Lou in last week's Breeders Challenge 4EG Final.

Jason Grimson provides the most interesting runner of the race in stable newcomer Hesitate.

A top class three-year-old of last season with placings in the Eureka and Queensland Derby, he has struggled for form this season but no doubt has the talent if he can find his best.

Grimson also starts the consistent Our Sunset Delight who has an awkward barrier but heads to Wagga with a string of wins and placings to his name.

Horsham trainer Aaron Dunn adds a Victorian flavour with the capable Forty Love who is another that may require luck from the second row but brings strong form from Victoria and through the SA Cup series in Adelaide.

Evergreen veteran Max Delight returns having placed in several rounds of the last Carnival of Cups series before going on to a Nullarbor win in Perth while Ubetcha Tigerpie is another with past Carnival of Cups success having thwarted Captains Knock's bid for a series clean sweep by winning the final leg of the last series.

The night's other feature, the $75,000 TAB Riverina Regional Championship Final has been thrown open thanks to the barrier draw.

Talented filly Seaside Boulevard had looked a clear top pick after an impressive win in Tuesday's heats but a second row draw has made her task harder.

She still looks the one to beat having won the Redcliffe Oaks and finished runner-up in the Queensland Oaks over the winter but may need a little luck on her side.

The same could be said for Watermain Lady who draws the outside of the front row but came from a similar barrier for a resuming win in the heats.

That continued a winning streak from last campaign and took her strike rate at Wagga to 50 per cent. She'll be fitter and has enough gate speed to go forward.

Seaside Sid closed nicely and got close to Watermain Lady on Tuesday and had won two in a row prior including the Canola Cup. He draws on the second row but scored from there two back at Bathurst and is going well.

Tukaha and Little Sassy Boy were both good in their heats and draw to be competitive again.