The meeting, which features two $25,000 races and six other races worth $17,500 or more, had attracted a total of 165 horses when the fields were released yesterday.
The addition to the calendar of a twilight meeting at Winton on Friday left Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein with concerns about field sizes when the calendar was finalised earlier this year.
But gloom had given way to glee yesterday as Klein surveyed a ''perfect'' Cromwell track ahead of Sunday's 11-race card.
''We're delighted. I can't remember the last time we had so many horses accept for a Cromwell race meeting,'' Klein said.
The meeting was initially programmed for nine races but negotiations with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing allowed a 10th race to be added to the programme.
''And then we were really grateful they allowed us to split a race,'' Klein said.
''There will be issues over horse accommodation and we're anticipating that and have pre-warned trainers we'll be requiring their patience, but the stakes are up and everybody wants to race.''
Bad weather in Southland in recent weeks had helped create a difference between the Winton meeting - which could be raced on a slow track - and Cromwell, which was rated as a dead4 yesterday.
''No question the prize money has helped an awful lot but I think the fact that the tracks are so heavy down south have played into our hands this time round as well. The track here at Cromwell is the best I've ever seen it, actually.
''Even with rain forecast over the next couple of days, we should have a perfect track on race day.''
Quality horses have been joined by the country's leading jockey this season, Danielle Johnson.
The club and Timaru trainer Brett Inglis worked together to get the 23-year-old to come south after she rode the Inglis-trained Please Release Me to victory at Riccarton on November 12.
''That'll be interesting to see her come down - she's riding in fine form at the moment, there's no question about that,'' he said.
The $25,000 Wanaka Cup (1400m) and the $25,000 Queenstown Cup (2030m) have been supported by trainers, with 15 horses accepting for the Wanaka Cup and 11 for the Queenstown Cup.
''It's nice to see strong fields and big numbers in your feature races,'' Klein said.
''A lot of those open events in the past have been lean, but it's great to see those stack up well.''
The one major change for racegoers this year is the change in liquor licensing for the meeting.
Racegoers can no longer bring their own alcohol to the course.
Klein hoped those attending would be ''understanding of the situation the club has found itself in due to the restrictions on its licence''.
''There is no BYO but beer prices have been set at very reasonable rates,'' he said.
