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By Ray Hickson

A Kembla Grange trained favourite and an increased capacity with restrictions relaxing is a recipe for locals to embrace Saturday’s $1 million The TAB Gong (1600m).

And it seems there’s a hunger to get back on track with tickets selling quickly for the Illawarra region’s biggest racing event.

Illawarra Turf Club racing manager Michael Craig said under the Covid rules the racecourse will be able to cater for about 5400 people, which is a good result considering crowds were only allowed back a month ago.

“We were holding off on ticket sales until we found out what rules we were going to be under,’’ he said.

Archedemus wins the 2020 edition of The Gong (Pic: Steve Hart).

“We've had emails flooding in for the past couple of months with people wanting to book for the meeting so that’s a good indication of the interest in the race.

“Most of the indoor areas are pretty well booked out, they are on about two thirds capacity (under the two square metres) so we expected them to be snapped up straight away.

“I’m sure as soon as we get a clear year of no restrictions we’ll be making huge plans to cater for a bumper crowd.”

There were 27 nominations for the $1 million feature including Golden Eagle runner-up Count De Rupee, trained locally by Robert and Luke Price, Epsom Handicap runner-up Aramayo, plus Filante Handicap winner Exoboom and defending champ Archedemus.

It was widely held that the third running of The Hunter last weekend was the strongest to date and as The Gong approaches its third edition Craig said the race is finding its feet.

Last year Archedemus defeated Dawn Passage, who had placed in the Golden Eagle, with Think It Over running third as a $41 chance.

“I think it’s been pretty well accepted straight from the first running. Between us and Newcastle it gives the Sydney tracks a nice rest at this time of year,’’ he said.

The meeting also sees the inaugural running of the $300,000 The Warra over 1000m which attracted 16 nominations including speedsters Malkovich, Spaceboy and Marway.

Kembla Grange lost a meeting last Saturday due to a wet week but that might have been a blessing in disguise. The track was rated heavy 8 on Monday morning.

“It’ll definitely save some wear and tear on the track,’’ Craig said.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed for good weather for the week and we’re hopeful of presenting as good a track as possible.”

Count De Rupee was the $3.50 favourite with TAB after nominations for The Gong and co-trainer Luke Price said the four-year-old is in great shape.

“It’s so exciting to have a horse of this calibre competing on his home track in a $1m race,’’ he said.

“We are really looking forward to the weekend and Count De Rupee is a picture of health and ready to rock and roll.”

For tickets CLICK HERE.

All the entries, form and replays for Saturday's The Gong meeting at Kembla Grange