With a long history dating back 50 years, this year’s Star Trek Series will see a shake up in the series’ format.

Bathurst Harness Racing’s CEO Danny Dwyer said the change is to encourage more participation.

“Usually the heats were one week and the finals were next week,” he said.

“Now we have heats this Wednesday, semis next Wednesday and final next Friday.

“We’ve changed the format to encourage further participation, for more horses in the fields.” 

Due to the change in format, Dwyer has has seen an increase in quality. 

“The race is for C1 and C2 horses and we’ve definitely seen an increase in quality,” he said.

“With $15,000 on offer in the final, it’s certainty a good race to win.

“The club is very happy with the quality. This is the first time the series will be held over three meetings.”

Three series heats will be staged on Wednesday night.

In race one – the Bedwells Feedbarn Star Trek Heat 1 (1730 metres) – the Amanda Turnbull-trained and owner Crafty Cullen ($1.60) will start as favourite.

It will be the five-year-old brown gelding’s first start in Australia and first run since finishing sixth on September 10, in the New Zealand town of Rangiora.

“Crafty Cullen and Whittaker both look likely to get the win,” Dwyer said.

“I expect both horses to dominant the race.”

Whittaker ($3.75) will also make a first start in Australia and the four-year-old bay stallion is to be driven by Ashlee Grives.

In race four – the Bedwells Feedbarn Star Trek Heat 2 (1730 metres) – two Hewitt trained horses with start at equal favourites.

Brad Hewitt’s gelding – Inner Light ($2.50) will start from barrier three, while Bernie Hewitt’s Im With Lexy ($2.50) will start at barrier five.

“[Inner Light] is in really good form. He’s just come over from New Zealand,” Dwyer said.

“[Im With Lexy] also won the recent Canolla Cup in Eugowra.

“I think both horses will match it with each other.”

In race five – the Bedwells Feedbarn Star Trek Heat 3 (1730 metres) – Dwyer has cited another New Zealand horse to perform well.

“Taihape Sunset has come across and should race well,” he said.

“It’ll make for an excellent night of racing.”  

The New Zealand horse will be trained by Amanda Turnbull.

The top eight in each heat will qualify for the two semi-finals.

Each semi-final will have 12 runners and the top six will qualify for the final on November 3.