Racing: Spring in the air as big names return

The Spring Cup has plenty of competition for highlight of the harness racing week.

Friday night's feature at Alexandra Park sees some of the biggest names in pacing return to the track, headed by Auckland Cup winner Mi Muchacho and Easter Cup winner Baileys Dream.

It won't be the only mega-clash of the northern racing week though, with a host of big names resuming.

Gotta Go Cullen makes an early return, after his luckless Breeders Crown campaign, in the Sires' Stakes heat at Cambridge on Thursday, where he will have just four rivals.

Later that night Great Northern Derby winner Monkey King meets Cambridge Classic winner Mr Bojangles in the Te Awamutu Cup.

When the action moves to Alexandra Park on Friday the trotters will also command plenty of interest, with last season's two best 4-year-olds, Our Sunny Whiz and George Castleton, meeting Interdominion finalist Romper Stomper.

The meeting is being billed as Ladies Night, with three races on the card restricted to some of the best female drivers in the country.

And on Sunday the action moves south, with a hot field expected for the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.