Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.
The latest bout of heavyweight pacers Leap To Fame and Kingman will take place on Saturday.
The fourth instalment is set down for when the pair clash in the Ballarat Cup.
A total of nine races will be decided at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Cheerstolou will step up to open company for the first time after leaving opponents in his dust on a march through the grades.
At Tamworth on Friday night, half the field in the Group 3 Golden Guitar are trained in Queensland, with several others engaged in other races across the night.
GET ON
Allmighty Max on Saturday night at Albion Park in the seventh event.
The Steve Furey-trained gelding has been running some great races at big odds recently.
Receives an all-important barrier upgrade to start from the pole.
SHANE TO TURN IT UP
Veteran pacer Turn It Up can breakthrough the $1 million stakes barrier with victory in the opening race this Saturday night.
Drawn two off the second line, the 11-year-old speedster makes his first appearance of the season, following a strong victory from the standing start in December.
Racing at the top level for much of his career, Shane Graham has done a masterful job in managing the aches and niggles of the horse widely regarded as the quickest horse out of the mobile at his peak.
Saturday’s race should generate strong tempo from the front line, with several quick beginners engaged.
Mullum Hank has been in great form and will be chasing a hat-trick of wins for Darren Weeks and Angus Garrard. Drawn to start from gate three, the gelding's past two wins have been tough and in quick time.
Drawn gate two, Ellis Street will appreciate an improved barrier.
From gate 10, District Attorney has been racing consistently for Jack Butler and has placed in five of his past six starts.
LTF CHASING REDEMPTION
After defeat in last week’s Shepparton Cup, the $1 million Victorian Cups bonus is still a possibility but has become exponentially tougher for Leap To Fame to secure.
Kingman conquered at Shepparton and has now defeated Leap To Fame in each of their three meetings, with the fourth instalment of their rivalry to be conducted this Saturday in the Ballarat Cup.
LTF will need to overcome the outside of the front line from barrier seven if he is to turn the tables.
The Luke McCarthy-trained and reined Kingman will be the lone runner to start from the second line.
The early speed of the 2710 metre event shapes as an intriguing battle, with several quick beginners drawn inside Leap To Fame that will be wanting to secure a forward position.
The likelihood is that Dixon will send the champion forward soon after the start.
Bulletproof Boy will chase a second Cup in the series following his win at Bendigo a fortnight ago, with James Herbertson partnering with the veteran once again.
Mach Dan has drawn the inside gate, while the enigmatic Catch A Wave, a horse that can beat any other on his day, will start from gate two.
GUITAR CHANCES STRONG FOR QUEENSLAND
Jack Butler and Graham Dwyer will be hoping to hit the right notes at Tamworth on Friday night, the pair preparing half the field for the Final of the Group 3 Golden Guitar.
Butler will have Deebo and Exclusive Hustler, while the Dwyer-trained trio will start alongside each other with Rock Hammer, Canadian Lass and Buddy Perfect.
Deebo has drawn gate one with Jemma Coney taking the reins.
After leading throughout to claim one of the five heats, Deebo looks well placed.
Exclusive Hustler faces a tough challenge from outside the second line.
Of the Dwyer three, Rock Hammer draws gate two after a narrow second after leading for most of the heat until claimed in the last strides by Buddy Perfect, who will start from gate four.
Canadian Lass will split the pair, earning her spot in the race following an all-the-way victory, with Layne Dwyer booked to take the reins.
Dwyer will also be represented by Bettors Moon and Luvbite in the Tamworth Gold Cup.
TRACK RECORD HOLDER BACK IN ACTION
The Albion Park trotters track record holder, Not As Promised, will return to racing on Saturday night and faces a tough assignment first-up.
Sent for a break following his record mile back in October, Layne Dwyer will take the reins on the gelding for the first time under race conditions.
With Nathan Dawson unavailable this weekend, it will be the first Not As Promised will have a different driver at the track with Dawson having partnered the gelding in all 21 previous appearances.
Ajay Volstead will be the lone front mark runner in the 2647 metre discretionary handicap.
The Darren Weeks-trained five-year-old was enormous in defeat at his last start.
If he can trot cleanly away at the start, the stallion would prove hard to stop.
However, it is a race with depth.
Hide And Seek faces a 30 metre handicap as the lone back marker.
The second of the Weeks-trained runners, Get Used To It, has been racing consistently and will face a 20 metre mark.
Last start winner Masterly will be joined on the 10 metre tape by Taylad To Use.
