Owners, trainers and jockeys attending are also thrilled, with excellent prizemoney up for grabs in the five races on the program.

The highlight is the special Class 3 Plate over 1400 metres which boasts $15,250 for the placegetters — $10,000 of which will go to the the first horse past the post.

Mount Isa trainer George Tipping is expected to have the hot favourite in the race with promising four-year-old mare Kissandra.

To be ridden by top jockey Aaron Spradau, the only query over Kissandra is her ability to handle the hard Richmond surface.

Her only two wins for Tipping have been on the sandier and softer Mount Isa surface.

When she raced at Cloncurry last month, she struggled to hit top gear.

With only seven jockeys riding today, the opposition won’t be as strong as acceptances suggested when they were released on Friday.

The Cloncurry-trained Blickem was expected to be some hope for trainer Gareth Smith but will be scratched this morning because no hoop was available.

Barcaldine trainer Todd Austin also had plans of an assault on Richmond, but had to withdraw because of the jockey shortage.

The horse to beat Kissandra appears to be Grant Wiles’ Raw Nerve, who, unlike Tipping’s mare, prefers the track harder.

When these two went head-to-head at Mount Isa last start, Kissandra walked in to victory, while Raw Nerve struggled to make up any ground.

The week prior, Raw Nerve beat Kissandra to the line at Cloncurry.

Wiles was hopeful of his gelding’s chances at Mount Isa on Saturday and said with the right amount of luck his stable star could win.

The other main hopes appear to be Party Charter and Stellar Show.

Like Mount Isa on Saturday, today’s race meeting could well be dominated by favourites, with many standout selections on paper.

Because I Am and Woodmans Way are the only hopes in the Class B Handicap over 1000m, while Skywopa and Goodtobetheking are the main chances in the Class 2 Handicap over 800m.

In the Open Handicap over 1200m, Cliff Fitchett’s Golden Time looks the standout, with Hamingja and Catbird Kahn place hopes.

Maison Dupuy was expected to be a danger, but trainer Gareth Smith indicated yesterday he was likely to scratch from the race.

In the last event today, Kerry Krogh’s Gold Card looks a “special” having won five races in a row — most against quality opposition.

The six-year-old gelding is drawn to lead and should be too good for his rivals.