New Zealand representative Sandra Keith (Dunsandel) has a point to prove at the North East Valley Bowling Club next week.
Keith wanted to get into the New Zealand bowls team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year.
But she took a backward step when not selected for the Trans Tasman series against Australia next month.
Keith made her international debut last year and looked a good bet to make the team for the Commonwealth Games.
But it will need poor games by the five players selected for the Trans Tasman series to change the selectors' thinking.
Keith won the title in the first two years of the Dunedin Casino Women's Classic Pairs.
She was partnered by Jenny Dyhrberg (Taieri) in 2012 and by Lynn Rance (Green Island) last year.
Her partner this year will be decided when the 48 players are drawn into teams at the Dunedin Casino next Wednesday night.
The event has prize money of $5000, the highest for a women's bowls event in New Zealand.
The winner's purse is $2000. New Zealand pairs champions Carolyn Crawford (St Clair) and Anne Muir (Northland) are both competing.
Other national champions in the 48-strong field include Janet Swallow (Taieri), Wynnette McLachlan (Clinton), Lynley O'Callaghan (Alexandra) and Shona Mann (North East Valley).
Two players who are expected to make their mark on the field are Reen Stratford (Auckland), who was runner-up in the New Zealand Singles in 2013, and Sue Kincaid (Southland).
Two younger bowlers to watch are North East Valley's Sarah Scott and Rebecca Jelley.
Scott has been named in the Bowls Dunedin Sevens team for the first time this year.
The Women's Classic Pairs begins on Thursday, March 6 and the final will be held the following afternoon.
Fact file
Third Women's Classic Pairs
Venue: North East Valley Bowling Club.
Date: Thursday March 6 and Friday March 7.
Number of players: 48.
Prize money: $5000. Winner's purse $2000.
Winners: Jenny Dyhrberg, Sandra Keith (2012); Lynn Rance, Sandra Keith (2013).
