A flashy young up-and-comer and a wily veteran will clash in the Gore Grass Cup tomorrow.
The youngster comes in the form of classy 3yr-old Star Commander who brings strong metropolitan form. He will probably start favourite for the race.
He clashes with a handy field that includes the tough 7yr-old grass-track specialist, Acolyte.
Star Commander may possess more talent than many of his rivals and has already proven himself on grass, but will need to get away safely from his 20m back mark in his first standing start.
Should the horse miss away then expect Acolyte to give Star Commander something to chase.
Though the Hamish Hunter-trained pacer may not have the class of his younger rival, he does not lack toughness and has an exceptional record on grass.
Wedged in between the 3yr-old and the 7yr-old is emerging cups horse Smooth Mara. The pacer has been a revelation since going to Graeme Anderson's Westwood Beach stable three starts ago.
Leading Southland mare Somejoy will dodge the standing-start conditions of the grass track cup to race horses who do not appear to be in her league in race 11.
The Clark Barron-trained 4yr-old ran a creditable seventh behind Bonnie Joan in the group 2 Premier Mares' Championship at Addington last Friday.
Former All Stars pacer Indiana Dreaming is one of the most interesting runners on the Gore card.
The mare will have her
first start from Robin Swain's Knapdale stable in race 7.
She has been transferred south so she can be aimed at mares' races in the region.
Swain is expecting her to go well tomorrow but also thinks she will get better with racing as she is carrying plenty of condition.
