WARRAGUL Harness Racing Club will host its first race meeting for 2007 this Friday afternoon.
Strong entries are expected for the eightevent card that starts at 1.10pm.
Highlight of the racing program is a qualifying heat of the Eastern Challenge series, culminating in a $20,000 final at Cranbourne later this month.
Also, top local mare Dancing Withalbert will make her racetrack return on Friday.
Winner of several races on end earlier this year, Dancing Withalbert had a hitout at Warragul last Saturday morning and connections have indicated a start in the Traralgon Cup at Warragul on 4 February is likely.
Another talented Gippsland horse returning from a spell is Ronerail that resumes at Maryborough on Thursday afternoon.
Ronerail needs one more win to qualify for the Eddie Evison Memorial Cup at Warragul on 4 February.
Two impressive trial victories at Warragul over the past two Saturdays have Ronerail wound up for a firstup win.