The Canberra Racing Club has taken a gamble combining it’s two biggest races into a single day but record bookings indicate it might be about to pay off.

The Canberra Cup, a 2000m race worth $200,000 has been shifted to Sunday to be run on the same day as the $250,000 Black Opal Stakes (1200m).

Canberra Racing Club chief executive Peter Stubbs said, in terms of crowd numbers and the calibre of horses, the plan seemed to be working.

“In terms of the race fields I think it’s exceptional quality in comparison to the past,” Stubbs said.

He said the goal was to create an event that would attract a larger number of punters and competitors.

“We felt that we needed to create a race day that really made a statement,” he said.

“Not only from a racing point of view but from a community point of view.”

Last year the Canberra Guineas, normally held on the same day as the Black Opal Stakes, was upgraded to a Listed race.

With the Canberra Cup being moved to the autumn there are now four Listed races on the day.

“That effectively has created a record prize money day (for Canberra),” Stubbs said.

“We have a medium-term objective to try and have one of those races upgraded to Group status,” Stubbs said.

“I think it’s important that our major feature race day of the year makes a statement.”

A full field of 14 plus five emergencies was declared for the Black Opal.

The John O’Shea-trained Faustus was installed the $3.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Epaulette ($3.80), Cavalry Rose ($4.60) and Later Gator ($4.60).

A field of 15 will line up in the Canberra Cup with last year’s Caulfield Cup placegetter Tullamore the favourite.