For those new to racing or looking to pick a winner at the Elders Hay Cup this weekend, Bailey offers some straightforward advice that separates casual punters from informed racegoers.

There are two approaches to assessing horses on race day, and combining both methods provides the best chance of success. The first method relies on observation and common sense. Head to the mounting yard before each race where horses walk around before going out onto the track.

This is where you can really see what condition they're in and gauge their readiness to compete. Look for animals with shiny, glowing coats that appear fit rather than fat. Watch for horses that are up on their toes, alert and engaged, with their eyes darting around taking in their surroundings.

These are the horses that look ready to race.

Conversely, avoid backing horses that appear sluggish, look around slowly, or seem uninterested in their environment. The difference between a horse primed to perform and one that's not quite ready becomes obvious when you watch their behaviour in the mounting yard. The second approach is for those who prefer to study form.

Take time to research where the trainers are coming from and their credentials. Saturday's meeting will feature several top trainers bringing horses to Hay, and their presence alone is a positive indicator.

Bailey will be able to discuss these trainers in detail when he speaks again on Thursday once the final fields are announced.

Similarly, pay attention to the jockeys riding each horse.

The more experienced and credentialed jockeys tend to get the better rides, and if you see them on horses that have been running well recently, placed somewhere in their recent starts, and generally showing good form, those horses are worth serious consideration. Bailey promises to provide specific tips and guidance on Thursday morning once acceptances close and the fields are finalised. He will be able to identify which horses are genuine chances based on their form, their connections, and their suitability to the conditions. For those wanting to have a punt but unsure where to start, his expert analysis will prove invaluable.

When Michael Bailey joined the Narrandera racing committee in 1986, he could hardly have imagined he was embarking on a journey that would span four decades.

As he approaches his 40th season in the industry, the Wagga-based racing manager remains as committed to country racing as he was in those early years.

Bailey's involvement with the Narrandera Racing Club has taken many forms over the years. He has served as president, while his wife took on the role of secretary for about a decade. But it was in 1998 that his career took a significant turn when he left Narrandera for work in Wagga.

Rather than lose his expertise, the club created a new position specifically for him, and Bailey has been serving as racing manager from Wagga ever since.

His passion for the sport extends well beyond administrative duties. Bailey has been a racing syndicator, owning shares in 40 to 50 horses over the years with groups of around 10 people.

While he is quick to point out these weren't big dollar ventures, they provided plenty of fun and some notable success.

His connections in the industry run deep, having worked with prominent figures like Mark Harvey from Narrandera and trainers Bob Smith and TJ Smith. He even goes back a long way with John Clarke from Cameron Park, having first met him through racing circles in Narrandera.

Ten years ago, those connections drew Bailey into another pivotal role when Mark Harvey approached him for help following the untimely passing of the iconic Bev Booth, a legendary figure in the Hay racing community. Much of Booth's knowledge had been stored in memory rather than written down, and Bailey stepped in to work alongside Harvey to keep things running smoothly.

What was meant to be a couple of years of assistance has turned into a decade long commitment.

Bailey now sits on the Hay Racing Committee and makes the trip down for race days, lending his considerable experience to ensure the club continues to thrive in Booth's absence.

That dedication is paying dividends as Hay prepares for Saturday's race meeting. Nominations closed on Monday with 76 horses putting their names forward across the six races, a 25 percent increase on last year's 59 nominations. While final fields won't be confirmed until Thursday morning at nine o'clock, the signs are extremely promising.

The cup has attracted a particularly strong field of 13 horses, and organisers are hoping for 18 starters on the day.

The quality of nominations is particularly pleasing given that trainers often have choices about where to send their horses, with similar class meetings running over the border in Victoria and elsewhere in New South Wales on the same weekend.

Weather conditions look ideal too, with temperatures around 30 degrees forecast, warm enough to feel like proper summer racing but not so hot as to cause heat stress for the horses.

The track itself is looking fantastic, with preparation well underway for what promises to be an excellent day's racing.

Bailey's expertise comes from being, as he puts it, a jack of all trades in racing.

While he has never trained horses himself, he has been around trainers, owned horses, managed race clubs, and worked at most levels of the industry. He has helped get race meetings going at venues like Jerilderie when their racing was struggling in the early 2000s, serving a couple of years as assistant secretary before helping get them back on track.

His experience across multiple roles and venues throughout the district has given him a comprehensive understanding of country racing that few can match. Unfortunately, Bailey will miss Saturday's race meeting in person for the first time, facing a minor operation on Tuesday that will keep him in hospital. It's a significant disappointment for someone so deeply invested in the sport, particularly given the strong fields shaping up for the meeting.

However, true to form, he remains focused on making sure racegoers have all the information they need to enjoy the day.

Even from a hospital bed, he will be available on Thursday morning around half past nine once acceptances close to provide detailed analysis of the final fields, discuss the trainers and jockeys to watch, and offer genuine tips for those wanting to have a flutter. After nearly 40 years in the game, Bailey's enthusiasm for country racing shows no signs of waning.

His involvement across multiple clubs, his connections throughout the industry, and his willingness to share his knowledge with newcomers and seasoned punters alike make him an invaluable figure in district racing.

As Hay prepares for what promises to be an excellent day's racing on Saturday with strong nominations and perfect weather conditions, the sport is fortunate to have people like Michael Bailey ensuring country racing continues to thrive and that the legacy of figures like Bev Booth lives on through dedicated stewardship and genuine passion for the turf.