The Black Opal has produced some fantastic horses over the years including Spirit Of Kingston, Clan O'Sullivan, St Covet, Paint, Criterion and Trapeze Artist with Catbird the only winner to go on and win the Golden Slipper.

This year's Black Opal Stakes nominations include Blanc De Blanc ($8) off her recent excellent form, Introducing ($8) from the flying Tulloch Lodge team, Steel City ($8) who started near favourite in the Blue Diamond and Zulfiqar ($11) who took a G3 race a month back.

Also on Sunday, the Listed National Sprint (1400m) has some old warriors entered to run. Handle The Truth attempts to win the race for the second time. He's pitted against Country Championships winner Another One, the Hawkes-team trained Superium and Bandersnatch and the very consistent Cavalier Charles.

Then on Monday, they've extended nominations for the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m). Some of those already down to run include the tough gelding Arapaho ($6), former three time Derby winner Explosive Jack ($7), last year's winner Sacramento ($3.50) and first up city winner Zeyrek ($4).

The Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) will have some promising horses in the field. Nominations comprise the appropriately named Capital Asset, the flying Kimberley Secrets off her Country Championships Qualifying victory, and Kris Lees' two black type winning fillies Razeta and Wolverine.