Five of Irelands top trotters are set to go to post at approx. 3.30pm (10.30am USA) and for those that cannot make it in person, this race will be covered LIVE on Portmarnock Raceways Facebook page.
Likely favourite is renowned stayer Vichy De Moem and trainer/driver Alan Richardson has oozed confidence all week in the run up to the 2 mile marathon.
Brenda Hudson drivers her own Scoops Team and there wont be a dry eye in the house should the only female driver in the line-up beat the boys on the day.
Billy Star the youngest in the field at only 5 years old will be driven by the oldest driver in the race Christy "Hopper" Foran and a win for him will ensure SHRI Trotter Of The Year honours for popular local trainer Stephen Foran.
Silvano Bello for West Cork's Donal Murphy has hit form with a vengeance in recent weeks whilst Patrick Kanes Twist Du Layon claimed the last invitation to the race with a track record win over 1¼ miles at the venue last Sunday. Both look to be up against it on form but over this extreme trip of 2 miles, four laps, all 5 runners have live chances of landing the spoils.
This event has captured the imagination of harness fans worldwide with luminaries such as top announcer Roger Huston, Australian broadcaster Gareth Hall, current record holder Ake Svanstedt, world driving champion Jody Jamieson from Canada, journalist Bill Hutchinson and US based driver "Irish" Joe Hanney all posting up messages of support on Portmarnock Raceway's Facebook page so far with many more well-wishing videos expecting to being posted up by the great and the good of the sport every other hour in the lead up to the contest.
Local track promoter and photographer Nadina Ironia has been thrilled with the interest that this world record attempt has generated and for such a small trotting community the Irish are certainly punching above their weight knowing the eyes of the harness racing world will be on focussed on Portmarnock tomorrow afternoon.
A recent on-line poll has revealed that over 75% of respondents believe that this record of 4:06.8 held by Svansted's Clear Sign, will be broken and it will be the first time that the Irish will hold a harness racing world record.
So will it be victory for Vichy? can Hudson Scoop the pot? Is there a new Star about to be born? will Silvano be the saviour for the bookies? or will there be one final Twist on the final day of the season.
Come out for the closing day of racing at Portmarnock tomorrow or watch on Facebook LIVE – Portmarnock Raceway Facebook page approx 3.30 local time (10.30am in USA).
by Thomas Bennett, for Harnesslink