Wodonga Gold Cup weights released ahead of $100,000 feature

Vungers was among the 44 nominations for the $100,000 feature which were released on Monday.

The Patrick Payne-trained Justacanta has been allocated top-weight of 63.5kg.

Justacanta ran fifth in the Kilmore Cup on Sunday and was a winner of the $300,000 group 2 Linlithgow Stakes, (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby day.

The eight-year-old gelding is one of only three horses weighted above the minimum of 54kg.

The Mitch Freedman-trained Ho Ho Khan and Ready To Rumble trained by Nick Olive were the other two.

Racing Wodonga's general manager Steve Wright said the early signs were promising that the club could attract a quality field.

"To attract 44 nominations is pleasing," Wright said.

"Vungers looks like returning to defend his crown.

"There are quite a few nominations from those bigger Melbourne stables in Peter Moody, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Patrick Payne and Michael Moroney.

"There is a strong contingent of local trainers as well with David O'Prey, Sylvia Thompson and Peter Maher.

"Hopefully we get a competitive field and a big crowd."

ALSO IN SPORT

The Donna Scott-trained Takissacod appears to be one of the best local hopes.

Takissacod won two starts and finished runner-up this preparation before failing to handle the bog track in the recent Snake Gully Cup.

The final field will be released on Wednesday.

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