The big race of the day that will be drawing the crowds and punters is the $100 000 Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m).

A star studded field of nine are engaged in the event, including the Gai Waterhouse-trained Rabbuka and Anthony Cummings’ Zavite.

Six-year-old Rabbuka is coming off a brilliant win ahead of Spinney in the Frank Underwood Cup at Rosehill a fortnight ago. The Giant’s Causeway gelding has drawn barrier five and will be ridden by Blake Shinn who was onboard for his Underwood Cup victory.

Rabbuka is also the top weighted horse in the Australia Day Cup, carrying 59.5kg. His only concern will be the step up in distance to 2400m as he has never won at a distance greater than 2000m in his eight career wins.

Zavite, carrying the second heaviest weight of 59kg, has drawn the far outside barrier nine, the experienced seven-year-old winner of the Group 2 Ajax Stakes will have in-form hoop Glyn Schofield riding him on Tuesday.

Top training team Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes have their five-year-old Zabeel gelding, Rainbow Styling entered in the race. Rainbow Styling will be ridden by Jim Cassidy, has won his past two starts and will start from barrier six.

Currently sitting second on the NSW Metropolitan Trainers Premiership board, leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will be represented in the Australia Day Cup by his runner Come On Cugat, drawn ideally in barrier three.

The lightweights of the field all carrying 53kg are the Peter Moody-trained Fairygem (br.2), Brave Lancer (br.7), Just Jammin (br.8) and Karim gaining the inside running with barrier one.

The Australia Day Cup will run as race five on the day’s super eight-race programme.

2010 Australia Day Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw:

Prolific trainer Gai Waterhouse has a few handy gallopers competing at Randwick on Saturday, including her strong stayer Lorne Dancer in the opening race, the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1600m). Lorne Dancer is currently second favourite at $3.20 behind the John O’Shea-trained Informality at $2.70.

Waterhouse’s other strong chance at the meeting is with three-year-old Kinnersley in race five, the Naturalism Handicap (1600m). Kinnersley is the clear favourite in the betting markets at $3.40 following his sensational win at the same track on New Year’s Day, and will start from barrier four.

Judicial in race two, the Mahogany Handicap (1200m) is the other last-start victor for Waterhouse backing up on Saturday. Judicial is currently second favourite at $3.50 behind the Peter Snowden-trained Killian at $2.50.

Talented jockey Hugh Bowman has picked up the rides for the Waterhouse at Randwick, following the stable’s two other star riders, Nash Rawiller and Blake Shinn, both engaged at the Gold Coast Magic Millions this weekend.

Bowman will also mount two-year-old Spot The Rock in his debut in the Autumn Carnival Package On Sale Now Handicap (1000m) for trainer Tim Martin from barrier one; the Chris Waller-trained Bright Mind in the Eremein Handicap (2000m); Visa Lisa in the Octagonal Handicap (1200m); and Ourbillydakid in the closing race of the day the BIG6 Jackpot Today Handicap.

The Randwick Racecourse gates open at 11:30am and the first race of the eight-event programme is due to commence at 1:10pm.

Randwick Race Programme – Saturday January 9: