Winter is meant to be a quiet time for racing, or even boring according to some.
That does not look to be the case this weekend, that is, if you are a hearty racing fan.
We will have had two local meetings to prepare punters for the smorgasbord of harness racing and flat and jumps racing to take in on TV.
Here are the feature races I most looking forward to over the next three days.
Open hurdle at Wingatui, 12.22pm today.
This is an intruiging little contest.
Cashel has good form behind some nice types and deserves a win. However, I do not think it will come easily.
Boysway has raced well in his last two starts and this race should be significantly easier than those contests.
North Island raider Eion has limited jumping experience, but is from a very astute stable [that of Ken Duncan at Hunterville] and he adds another layer of interest to the event.
Amateur riders' race at Wingatui, 2.07pm today.
This race always throws up an intriguing story of personal triumph for the amateur rider who is lucky and skilled enough to win it.
It may not be the best spectacle we see at Wingatui today, but the stories out of the race after likely to eclipse those from any other.
Winter Cup at Alexandra Park, 8.14pm tonight.
The Devils Own faces a massive task to win his first start since 2017.
But he has class on his side and has been massively aided by the withdrawl of his key rival, Check In.
It also helps that Brent Mangos has this horse ready to fire.
I will be watching with interest to see if The Devils Own still has the class he showed in his juvenile days.
Feature trot at Alexandra Park, 8.45pm tonight.
Trotters do not often leave Phil Williamson's barn and get better. But that is exactly what Kenny's Dream has done.
She has taken to right-handed racing brilliantlythat should continue tonight.
And that will not worry Phil, as he races the well-bred 4yr-old from Tony Herlihy's barn.
Hawke's Bay Hurdles at Hastings, 12.11pm tomorrow.
Gallante bolted in in the Manawatu Hurdles and deserves to be favourite.
It is hard to go against him despite this race looking tougher.
It is even harder to pick something to beat him. This is an extremely even field, which should make for a great race.
I think topweight Laekeeper could go a cheeky race at nice odds.
Maiden 1600m race at Ruakaka, 2.13pm tomorrow.
This is hardly a race for the ages. However, it features a half-brother to the New Zealand-bred superstar Beauty Generation.
All eyes will be on Drops Of Jupiter.
Hawke's Bay Steeplechase at Hastings, 2.29pm tomorrow.
This race should be a brilliant and competitive chase.
The timing looks right for Perry Mason, who comes in on the back of a good second in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase.
Race rival Chocolate Fish did not finish too far behind him in that race.
Gagarin was very tough in the Manawatu Steeplechase and will be hard to beat again.
I will be interested to see how much Wise Men Say has come on from that race, his first of the season.
Len Smith Mile at Menangle, 5.52pm Sunday.
Not the most outstanding field for this group 1, but it should still be a fine race on a brilliant Sydney card.
Our Uncle Sam should be in New Zealand later this year for the Interdominions.
On class, he should go very close.
I think he and Ellmers Image can test the favourite, Majordan.
Happy trails.
