A field of six will line up in the Terang Guineas tonight, Race 3 on a seven-race harness racing program at Dalvui Raceway.
The favourite is likely to be unbeaten Dean Braun-trained filly Sparkling, who made an impression at her first preparation with two wins from two starts.
The daughter of McArdle/Champagne N Diamonds produced a strong last 800m to win at Melton in November last year, rating 1:56.4 for the 1720m trip after coming from last.
“She’s a nice filly,” Braun said.
“Whatever she does tomorrow night she’ll improve on."
Braun said there had been talk about sending Sparkling to Tasmania for the Oaks in March, which his stable won with Sudden Change.
Sparkling has had three trials to prepare for her racetrack return and has drawn gate five in the six-horse field over 2180m for reinsman Alex Ashwood.
The main danger is expected to be another filly in Keayang Torah, who finished fourth in a heat of the Victoria Oaks before running eighth in the final beaten 6.9m by Niki No No.
Trained locally by Marg Lee, Keayang Torah has had two starts at Terang for a win and a second and has drawn barrier four.
Another local in Bellas Jet, from the Matthew Craven camp, is also expected to run well despite starting from gate six.
Bellas Jet has won two of her past three starts and possesses good gate speed.
The remaining runners in the Terang Guineas are Wabash Avenue for in-form trainer/driver combination Sebastian and Zac Steenhuis from the pole, Slap On The Wrist for Tim Bolitho and Greg Sugars from gate two, and 18-start maiden Delta Safari for trainer Mathew Falzon and reinsman Bill Spiteri out of four.
The seven-race program at Terang kicks off at 6pm.
Watch Sparkling win at Tabcorp Park Melton last year.
by Cody Winnell