The Mack Griffith-trained gelding, yet to win in two starts on the Tamworth track, received 61kg on Wednesday to just shade Tamworth Cup Prelude winner It’s A Shamozzle (60.5kg).

Griffith, originally at Muswellbrook, but now based in Brisbane, celebrated the win of Schedule in a Highway Handicap race at Randwick on Saturday.

Binalong Road has been a wonderful performer for his stable, winning 11 times from 40 starts.

He has twice contested the Tamworth Cup, finishing 14^th to Tableaux in 2015 and then 11^th behind Chrysolaus last year.

Despite those two disappointments, Griffith is banking on it being third time lucky for the son of Stratum when it comes to the time-honoured race.

Binalong Road’s most recent win was at Doomben in a 1350m Benchmark 80 event on Christmas Eve last year.

Tamworth Jockey Club general manager Damon Sullivan is delighted with the Cup field and its 41-strong entries, as well as the 211 nominations for Sunday’s eight-race program.

He believes the presence of all the Country Championship horses adds an extra spice to $100,000 feature.

In particular the presence of Scone Country Championship runner-up After All That and Caerless Choice, who finished fourth in the final at Royal Randwick.

However the duo have received the minimum weight (54kgs) and might not make the final field.

After All That is equal 15^th on the order of entry, with Caerless Choice equal 18^th.

The Cup is open to 14 acceptors, plus four emergencies.

Sullivan also thinks might be something of a “smokey” in the shape of the former Irish stayer Queensberry Rules.

Now trained at Cessnock by Jeremy Sylvester the seven-year-old gelding, winner of three of his English starts, received 59.5kg.

“He’s done all of his racing in the UK,” Damon Sullivan said.

“But he’s had two trails at Muswellbrook and Newcastle and won his last trial over 1000m at Newcastle too. He will be an interesting runner if he starts.”

Jeremy Sylvester has also nominated last year’s Cup winner Chrysolaus too, who scored a famous triumph 12 months ago when prepared by Jane Clement.

“I’d love to see him run as well,” Sullivan added.

“But on his last run I don’t know.”

Acceptances for Sunday’s Tamworth Cup close 9am on Thursday.