But he's convinced this Saturday night's meeting at Bendigo is as strong as he has seen in that time, highlighted by an appearance by Australia's fastest-ever pacer Lochinvar Art.

The champion David Moran-trained four-year-old will be chasing a sixth win from his last eight starts, and will again be the star attraction following his emphatic win at Bendigo last month.

For Ridge and no doubt the Bendigo Harness Racing Club, the only downside to such a star-studded program will again be the absence of a crowd due to COVID-19 regulations.

"That field in the open class pace is the equivalent of a Bendigo Pacing Cup and the open class trot is super - basically all the horses that matter are here," Ridge said.

"The only ones that are not are the New South Wales horses and the New Zealanders - and we are not going to get them at the moment.

"But when it's Victorians only, it's got to be one of the best night's racing in at least the last 10 years, probably longer.

"The Bendigo Cups for a while there were lopsided. Smoken Up led all the way, Changeover won easily - they just dominated.

"The thing about Lochinvar Art is that he is off the outside of the second row. Whether that will help him or not I'm not sure.

"He's going to come wide anyway, it's a matter of when he does it."

Encouragingly for the sport and Bendigo club, Lochinvar Art has not scared off the challengers with a field of 12 pacers to go around, headed by a high-calibre four from the powerful Emma Stewart stable.

Stewart has Group 2-winner Hurricane Harley, Code Black, the returning Shadow Sax and Major Times, who defeated Lochinvar Art two starts ago at Ballarat, entered in the $20,000 event.

A quality line-up is further boosted by 2019 Bendigo Pacing Cup winner San Carlo and Inter Dominion finalists My Kiwi Mate and Sicario.

Plenty more buzz surrounds the chances of the new kid on the block Reactor Now, who has peeled off nine wins from his last 10 starts and won 11 in total from 15 for David and Josh Aiken at Avenel.

A loaded 10-race card includes a further NR 80-120 pace and a NR 70 to 120 mare's event, and is co-highlighted by the clash of the heavyweights in an outstanding open class trot.

The seven-horse field includes six Group 1 winners, headed by the reigning Victorian horse of the year and 2018 Inter Dominion winner Tornado Valley.

A stellar cast includes the fit and firing Wobelee, Red Hot Tooth, Big Jack Hammer, Cruisin Around, Miss Blissful and the local hope Sundons Courage, who is trained at Newstead by Brad Angove.

"There's four of the best in Australia at the moment - you can't argue against an Inter Dominion champion," Ridge said.

"And Sundons Courage, he'll go to the front and certainly keep them honest.

"It's certainly going to be a cracking night."

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.