There are eight races set for the harness racing Warragul meeting this Wednesday, February 15. Entries are strong across the program, with good numbers in most events.
A strong contingent of local horses will compete, with about half of the total starters engaged from the region.
Last start winner Run Myles Run, for Gippsland Harness Training Centre graduate Alan Ratnasingham, could start the day on a successful note for punters.
Despite drawing wide on the mobile barrier, Run Myles Run is a strong chance of making it two victories on end – he is the only horse in the seven runner field to have won a race in their last four starts.
Smart local four-year-old Professor Tom returns to the races in the fourth event.
Raced by Warragul HRC committeeman Grant Rathjen and trained by Gary Quinlan, Professor Tom will have to overcome a back row draw on the mobile barrier over the short 1790 metre journey.
Premier reinsman Chris Alford will have to choose which drive he takes between stablemates Courageous Call and Toscas Delight in the last race.
The last is one of the better quality races on the program, boasting several horses in good form.
Former Kiwi Our Mcardle Star returns to racing in the seventh event.
A winner of two out of three runs in Australia last year, the five-year-old last raced at Shepparton in December for trainer Ahmed Taiba, who usually does well when he brings horses across to Warragul.
Earlier, the second event looks a real lottery with no real standout in the eight horse field.
Local hopes rest with La Patata, British General and Monterey Jack, all drawn off the front row.
With fine and warm weather forecast, racing commences on Wednesday at 1:17pm.
Female drivers competing on Wednesday will wear teal coloured driving pants, as part of a nationwide promotion raising awareness, and funds from race winning drives, for ovarian cancer research.
Kyle Galley