Nicky Chilcott with number of chances at tonight's Cambridge meeting

Local trainer Nicky Chilcott looks to hold a strong hand at tonight's six-race meeting at Cambridge, including a live chance in the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championship (AYDC).

The AYDC, featuring 10 of the best young drivers from both sides of the Tasman, will have two heats at Cambridge tonight before further heats at Alexandra Park (Friday), Ashburton (Sunday) and then on Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington next Tuesday.

The three New Zealand representatives - Carter Dalgety, Crystal Hackett and Wilson House - are all at single figures to win the AYDC with the TAB with Layne Dwyer (Queensland) a $4.80 favourite.

In tonight's opening heat (7.04pm) he drives a top contender in the David and Clare McGowan-trained Memories ($4.80) with Western Australian Abbey Vidovich driving the  $2.60 favourite Barsukov for trainer Luk Chin.

In the same race Chilcott lines up $13 shot Stash The Cash - "he's an outside top four chance" - for Ryan Sanderson (Victoria).

Chilcott's more upbeat about the chances of Messenger Buoy ($3.70) in the second heat (7.54pm). He's been knocking on the door of a sixth career win for a while now and will be aided by the services of Dalgety and a handy draw (4) tonight. 

"He's racing super and was really good at Auckland where he had to do a bit of work and still charged home late," says Chilcott, "there might be some fireworks early here but he's a really good chance."

Hearts N Aces ($4.60), who's drawn the ace, for South Australia's Jason Kittel and Franco Salah ($2.70) for Dwyer look the most obvious dangers. 

Chilcott also rates Katies Princess ($8) who she'll drive in Race 4, the Book Your Xmas Function @ Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace. 

"This looks to be her big chance. She has great gate speed, should get the front cheaply and be an uncontested leader. She just had to do too much last time when there was a three-horse war early."

Also in the same race is stablemate Says Who ($11).

"He's racing well and is a top four chance in what doesn't look to be a strong field," says Chilcott.

Another who will no doubt be well-supported is No Intentions ($2.80) in Race 1, the Hire A Venue at Cambridge Raceway Handicap Trot. (5.45pm).

The three-year-old was an encouraging second on debut at Cambridge on October 15, albeit 10 lengths behind winner Rebel Castleton.

"He's a big baby who's still learning but he has a motor and was super first up. If he can get round and do things right again he should finish in the top four," says Chilcott. 

Chilcott's final runner is Village Rebel ($5) in Race 6, the Harness Education and Health Trust Mobile Pace (8.20pm).

"It's hard to know where he's at, " says Chilcott, "he's the class horse of the field but you'd have to say he's racing a notch below his best." 

To see tonight's Cambridge fields, including the two AYDC heats, click here