Junior drivers Mitchell Kerr and Regan Todd hold centre stage at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting today behind talented 3yr-old pacers.
Kerr will be looking to extend his fine record with the up-and-coming Auditor General in race 8.
The son of Christian Cullen and Roman Consul is trained by Kerr's father, Paul, at Ohoka.
Kerr has driven the colt to win three of his last four starts.
He was an impressive winner against his own age group in a 1.58.9 mile rate for the 2200m (mobile) at Ascot Park five days ago.
The winner of four races he has drawn four in a 2-win race today.
Todd has driven Rocket Star to win both his starts for his employers, Woodend Beach trainers David and Catherine Butt.
The son of Badlands Hanover and Star Rhapsody won his last start at Rangiora on January 3 following success at Motukarara.
Rocket Star and Todd could find stern opposition from another junior driver, Nathan Williamson, who drives Hemisphere.
Hemisphere is resuming and has drawn one.
The Badlands Hanover 3yr-old has not raced since finishing fourth in the Harness Jewels in May.
She has won two recent trials at Ascot Park.
She showed her ability last season with two wins and two placings from six starts.
•Changeover confirmed his favouritism for the Hunter Cup with a decisive win in the $A50,000 Bendigo Cup on Saturday night.
He has the $A50,000 Shepparton Cup on Saturday night as his final lead-up to the group one $A400,000 Hunter Cup is at Moonee Valley on February 7.
Changeover trailed in the second line on the outer.
He challenged three wide on the home turn and finished strongly to beat Manwarra Goforgold by 2.25m with Decorated Jasper battling on for third.
The Tim Butt-trained former American pacer Mr Feelgood, made the pace before fading to sixth.
Changeover recorded a 1.58.9 mile rate for the 2650m.
The last 800m was run in 56.7.
The win was the 24th for Changeover and took his stake earnings to $1,863,199.
•The former Craig Edmonds trained trotter Ella Powell enhanced her prospects for the Interdominion series with an all-the-way win the the main trotting race at Bendigo.
Driven by trainer Lance Justice she beat Sunny Elegant and Whatsundermykilt.
The winner of six of her 40 starts for Edmonds she was sold to Australia in November.
•Former Canterbury pacer Magical Mach recorded an upset win in the $A400,000 Western Australian Trotting Cup at Gloucester Park, Perth on Friday night night.
Magical Mach won six of his 17 starts for co-owner and trainer Kevin Fairbairn of Doyleston.
He was sold to Perth for $130,000 in November.
Named Mysta Magical Mach, the 4yr-old came from last at the 1000m to beat the talented New South Wales pacer Divisive in the last few strides.
The son of Mach Three and Magical Monie is trained by 62-year-old Croatian born Tony Svilicich and was driven by 20-year-old Morgan Woodley.
