They will be joined by two drivers from each mainland state to contest a six-race series.

The Rattrays were selected on the basis of their standing on the 2016-17 drivers’ premiership.

Todd won the title for the first time with 87 wins while Gareth, a 10-time premiership winner, finished second with 86 wins.

Tasracing chief executive Vaughn Lynch said he unashamedly hoped the home track advantage would give the Rattray brothers an edge.

“They were the standout harness driving performers last season,” he said.

“After doing so well locally, being able to compete against the best drivers from interstate will be an important challenge.”

Mr Lynch thanked Tabcorp and Sky Channel for their programming support to schedule the meeting on a Saturday night (October 28).

The fourth running of the championship will be jointly hosted by Tasracing, Harness Racing Australia and the Tasmanian Pacing Club.

The 10 interstate drivers selected are – Chris Lewis and Ryan Warwick (WA), Chris Alford and Greg Sugars (Vic), Danielle Hill and Wayne Hill (SA), Amanda Turnbull and Chris Geary (NSW) and Shane Graham and Grant Dixon (Qld).

Less than 10 per cent of horses that win a maiden in Tasmania can score again at their next start.

So the number that go on to win their next three starts is extremely small.

Four-year-old gelding Kyogle Son is one of the select few, having put together four successive wins on his home track at Spreyton.

His run started on June 24 when he won his maiden and he’s since been successful in Class 1, Benchmark 62 and Benchmark 68 races.

Kyogle Son will be back at Spreyton on Sunday – at the last scheduled meeting on the track until December – trying to make it five in a row in the Benchmark 62 Handicap.

He’s paid the penalty for his consistency with a hefty weight of 63 kilograms but trainer Adam Trinder has booked in-form apprentice Teagan Voorham to reduce the impost with her 3kg claim.

It’s still a hefty weight to carry but Kyogle Son has drawn nicely in barrier 4 and his ability to race on the speed should see him get every chance to win again.

His stablemate Ariconte, to be ridden by Chris Graham, looks one of his main dangers and there are plenty of other chances.

Trainers Mark Ganderton (Episodes and Meteor Strike) and Peter Luttrell (Radioactive and Charlemagne’s Girl) both have two runners that could figure prominently.

All going well, racing returns to Elwick next week.