Harmey, who claimed the Newcastle crown two years ago, has 28 winners at the track to trail Sydney's KerryAnn Morris (30) and Keinbah trainer Roy Roots jnr (29) with three meetings remaining in the season.

In what is the most hotly contested premiership in years, Craig Cross (27) and defending champion Mark Callaghan (25) are also close.

Harmey, though, has an advantage on Friday night, with six winning chances. Morris has just Santannas Rocket (race five) and Watchful Lady (10) racing, while Roots jnr has only Tinted Lass in the first.

Harmey believed Chevrons Reward (race four), Big Bang Leonard (five) and Yosemite (10) were his best hopes. He also has Western Heir (three), Jimmy The Editor (five) and Alimonie (eight) in action.

"Chevrons Reward was racing really well at Newcastle before we took her down to Menangle, and I don't know what happened there, but she's really well so I think she's a really good hope," Harmey said.

"Yosemite has been pretty unlucky. She's always been in the better two-year-old races and been thereabouts. Looking at the field tomorrow night, I think she's a pretty good hope.

"Big Bang Leonard, he's a pretty good horse. We own him with Shane [Tritton] but we've brought him back home.

"Shane won a race down there at Menangle with him and he ran a fast time. He ran well at Tamworth last start and he's probably my best hope."

Jimmy The Editor, which goes up against Big Bang Leonard, is a last-start winner at Bankstown, Western Heir is talented but unpredictable, while Alimonie has to overcome a wide draw.

In the drivers' premiership, Morisset's Jack Callaghan, in his first full season, could all but wrap up the title.

The 17-year-old has 42 wins, six more than next best Josh Gallagher, and he will steer Power Surge, Johnny White, Im Major Harry, London Delight, Courageous Dancer and Glen Innes Boy.

Brad Elder (27) is third in the premiership, just in front of Luke McCarthy (26).