White will move to Christchurch later this month, joining the stable of Graham and Paul Court.

The chance to work with some of New Zealand's best trainers was an opportunity the 23-year-old couldn't refuse.

Moving to the Sydney stable of Blake Fitzpatrick from the Riverina early last year, White wanted to further expand his knowledge of the sport.

"I've been down at Blake's for 18 months or a little bit longer now so I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet new people and learn something a little bit different," he said.

"It sounded like a really good opportunity so I decided to head over."

Another reason behind the move was the limited number of opportunities White was getting as a driver following the changes to the handicapping and race programming system in NSW.

"Last season I averaged about five drives a week and since the new handicapping system I've had three for the season so it's dramatically cut down the opportunities for juniors," he said.

The lack of opportunities for junior drivers has also been noticed in the Riverina since the change on September 1.

Only five claims are being utilised this month and none will be used at Young's meeting tomorrow.

White finishes work with Fitzpatrick on Saturday and will return to the Riverina for a week before leaving for New Zealand.

He will be at Wagga's meeting next Friday and is looking to have New Zealand mare Hunter Victoria have her first Australian start on the night.

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KIM Hillier's stewards inquiry into elevated total plasma carbon dioxide (TC02) levels will resume today.

Harness Racing NSW stewards opened the inquiry last month following concerns horses from her stable were being presented with elevated, but not illegal, levels of TC02.

Evidence was given at the initial inquiry in Wagga on August 28, but was adjourned so documents could be provided by Hillier.

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SMALL steps towards Wagga's new harness racing track continue to be made.

Harness Racing NSW exchanged contracts for 40 hectares of land at North Wagga last week.

It comes a week after a development application was submitted to Wagga City Council.

HRNSW chairman Rex Horne is hoping to start work on the complex in March, with a completion date of December, but the plans still need to be approved by council.

Council agreed to sell the parcel of land to HRNSW for $1 in April, subject to a number of conditions, including approval being granted for the $6.5 million project and for the construction to occur.

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MODERN Max continued his strong run of form, winning at Menangle on Saturday night.

The Marrar-owned gelding set a new best mile rate of 1:53.8, winning the race for C3-C5 pacers by a half head.

The five-year-old has won four of its past eight starts, with three wins coming at Menangle since being transferred to Blake Fitzpatrick.

With career earnings of more than $96,000, the son of Modern Art can go through the $100,000 mark at Menangle on Saturday night.

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BAD HABBOTT extended his hot trot, winning at Menangle on Saturday night.

The four-year-old, trained by former Riverina horseman Russell Commens and part owned by Redbank Standardbreds Lodge, made it back to back wins.

Holding off 28-time winner Supper Waltz Wilson by a short half head, the four-year-old trotter clocked a new best mile of 1:57.4.

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NOW based at Albury, Rebecca Brown enjoyed success on her trip home to Sydney.

Formerly part of the John Tapp stable, Brown drove at winner for her former boss at Penrith on Thursday night.

Taking just the one drive on the night, Brown was able to move Simply Gorgeous from behind the leader to score its third win from six starts.

Brown is back in the Riverina this week and has two drives at Shepparton tonight.

Losing her concession status claim at the start of the season, Brown's two drives are for Albury trainer Chris Chant.

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A BIG gear change almost paid off for Wagga-owned pacer Grace Artois.

Now under the care of former Ganmain trainer-driver KerryAnn Turner, Grace Artois raced free-legged for the first time at Menangle on Saturday night.

Turner has had success in the past when racing horses without hopples, with Avonnova making his way through to open class with Turner before moving to Queensland.

In a close finish in the M0 mares race, a fast closing Grace Artois finished in a dead heat for third, 1.8 metres away from winner Annie Morva.

The five-year-old mare - a winner of 12 races - has won five races since being transferred to Turner.

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MOVING to Sydney to further her career, Martelle Maguire will have her first drive at Penrith tonight.

Joining the stable of Michael Muscat, Maguire has been engaged to drive Just Read My Mind for Billy Muscat.

The six-year-old has won three of his past six starts, but is coming off a last-placed finish at Menangle.

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DARK Blue Sapphire was the standout performer for Kim Hillier, who trained a treble at Shepparton last Wednesday.

Bringing up its second win, the Courage Under Fire four-year-old smashed her previous best to win by 13.4 metres in a mile rate of 1:57.1.

With her only previous win as a two-year-old, the mare finished second in her two races before the win.

Watmough also brought up its second career win, leading all the way at Shepparton.

Defeating the Chris Chant-trained Alcolism by a head, Watmough also clocked a new best of 2:00.0.

Bells Beach House made it three wins for four starts for Hillier, overcoming a couple of rough strides to bring up Hillier's treble.

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YIRRIBEE Pacing Stud has again thrown its support behind its race night at Wagga next week, with five stallion services attached to the feature races.

The night meeting on Friday week will feature two $8000 races.

The $8000 Ian Walsh Memorial will have a free service to leading sire Million Dollar Cam as well the Eric Chapman Memorial.

Two free services to Lombo Pocket Watch will also be won by owners, while another to first season recruit Caribbean Blaster is on offer.

It will be the first major meeting of the season in the region with the additional prizemoney a major attraction for owners and trainers.

Wagga Harness Racing Club chief executive Graeme White said Yirribee Stud night always attracted quality racing.

"The fields should be of high quality and quantity given what is on offer and also field sizes in the region have remained high which hasn't always been the case at this time of the year," he said.

Yirribee Stud boss Rod Woodhouse said he was pleased to support the night, which honours the memory of co-stud founder and former Wagga Harness Racing Club president Ian Walsh.

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FOUR Riverina trainers have horses engaged at Shepparton's meeting today.

Greg Forrest has last start placegetters Forestspider and OK Paco engaged and David Druitt will race McQueen Regal, The Final Frontier and Starzzz On Parade.

Paradise Ranch will race for Tim Doherty following her third at Kilmore last week while Chris Chant has Sammysluck and Alcoism engaged.

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YOUNG will hold its first meeting for the new season, with a seven-race card tomorrow.

Two $10,000 Menangle Country Series heats are the features of the day with the C0-C1 heat to see the return to racing of Business In Motion.

The meeting also features a race for C3-C8 pacers.

The first race starts at 2.24 with the last to be run at 6pm.