The legacy of Tom Hedley and John O'Brien's involvement in the Far Northern horse racing industry has ensured the Cairns Amateurs carnival will feature some of the strongest fields in years.

The Cairns business tycoons were the two biggest racehorse owners in the Far North, but have scaled back their operations in the past year as their empires collapsed.

But many of their horses have remained in the Far North and will feature in the two-day Amateurs carnival, starting on Friday.

Amateurs vice-president Ross Moller said Mr Hedley and Mr O'Brien's contribution to racing would continue to pay dividends.

"I was talking to one of owners who said the quality is better this year than last year," Mr Moller said of the nominations.

"There have been better horses brought into the area and because of John and Tom they probably picked the quality up over the last few years. The legacy is still there."

Mr Moller said there had been 263 nominations across the 16 races for the carnival.

Acceptances for Friday's races will be released today, while Saturday's fields will be available tomorrow.

Favourites in Saturday's $50,000 Carlton Draught Amateur Cup are likely to include the Darryl Hansen-trained Stage Shaker and John Manzelmann’s Flying Test.

Gary Richens, the co-owner of five horses racing in Amateurs, was keeping hot betting tips close to his chest.

"Take a look at the horses before you bet, and only bet what you can afford," he said.

Organisers are expecting about 10,000 patrons to attend Cannon Park on Friday and 12,000 on Saturday.

Mr Moller said 100 tents and marquees will be put up and more than 1000 tables and 3000 chairs will be brought in for the festivities.

The club has ordered 3000 bottles of champagne and almost 100,000 glasses.

The fashion on the field competition will be judged by Home and Away actress Esther Anderson and Country Racing Victoria Fashion Ambassador Sally-Anne Marshall.

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