Graff, which was fifth in the 2018 Everest (1200m), opened as an $8 equal favourite with stablemate Le Romain, Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer's Bon Amis and Godolphin's Savatiano with TAB Fixed Odds but was quickly into a $4.50 top elect.

Three-time group 1 winner Le Romain, a 59.5-kilogram top-weight under the quality conditions of the race, and Graff were among five nominations from Lees' Newcastle stables. Invincible Gem ($11), Miss Fabulass ($51) and Tactical Advantage ($15) were the others.

However, Tactical Advantage appears an unlikely runner in the 15-horse race, while Miss Fabulass was also nominated for the benchmark 88 handicap over the same distance at the standalone meeting.

Jonker ($71), for Newcastle trainer David Atkins, and Bobbing ($15), for Scone horseman Bernie Kelly, were also nominated. Bobbing, Belflyer ($51), Live And Free ($26), Oakfield Twilight ($101) and You Make Me Smile ($201) were also dual nominated.

Newcastle Jockey Club industry liaison and racing supervisor Michael Buckley was pleased with the entries.

Buckley said there were no surprises with the nominations and the early interest in Graff.

"Graff will appreciate the 1300 and you would think horses like he and Bon Amis are ones who have really been set for the race," Buckley said.

While The Hunter gained expected strong nominations, the group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) had only 10 entries, meaning nominations were extended until Tuesday.

The three-year-olds feature is usually held in September alongside the Newcastle Cup, Cameron Handicap, and Tibbie Stakes at the Broadmeadow track's main spring carnival meeting.

It was moved this year to bolster the new standalone The Hunter meeting. The Max Lees Classic (900m) for two-year-olds was shifted from December and boosted $50,000 to also lift the program. It received 12 entries - all unraced - including four from Kris Lees, and nominations were extended.

Despite the shortage of nominations for the main support races, Buckley was impressed with the quality of stables sending runners.

The Spring Stakes entries feature unbeaten Rule The World, from the Waterhouse-Bott stable, and Godolphin's Asiago.

"The Spring Stakes, although it's only 10, you look at a horse like Asiago, it won here during the carnival," he said.

"Bright Rubick is three from three at country level and is above average and Indy Car was super impressive here winning on debut.

"Even though it's light on numbers, you still have all the right trainers, with Gai Waterhouse, Gerald Ryan, John O'Shea, James Cummings, Kris Lees and the Snowdens all sending horses."

Meanwhile, Scone's Tuesday meeting has been postponed until Wednesday because of the predicted hot weather.