When the inaugural TAB Highway Handicap was run at Randwick two years ago it was welcomed by the industry with open arms.

Local hopes are high that Hotel Drive has the speed and talent to repulse the four-pronged attack of the powerful Matt Dunn stable in Monday's $150,000 Northern Rivers Country Championship Qualifier at Grafton.

Four-time TAB Highway-winning trainer Matthew Dunn looms as the man to beat with a pair of in-form stablemates in Saturday’s next edition at Rosehill.

Racing and Sports finds the best-backed runners in early betting on Thursday’s meeting at Ballina.