The Horsham Harness Racing Club has confirmed the line-up of stars that will contest the 31st edition of the Decron Horse Care Noel Smith Memorial Invitation Drivers Championship on March 8.

Jack Laugher, James Herbertson and Josh Aiken will compete in their first Invitation, together with Chris Alford, John Caldow, Kerryn Manning, Jodi Quinlan, Greg Sugars, Kate Gath and Jason Lee.

"Given the uncertainties of border crossings, we decided early on that 2021 would feature for the first time an all-Victorian field," Horsham club president Terry Lewis said.

"10 invitees come from top down on the previous season's metropolitan premiership list and we have three new faces among the older brigade."

While the 10 invitees might claim most of the spotlight at the Horsham Racing Centre on March 8, the event simply wouldn't happen without the ongoing contribution to harness racing made by trainers, owners, drivers, breeders, stablehands and their families.

"This is our 11th year of incorporating Industry Participants Appreciation into the Drivers Championship race meeting," Lewis said.

"We provide a hospitality area with the support of the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association and give away products, merchandise and vouchers donated by Decron Horse Care, Carbine Chemicals, Hygain-Mitavite, Mustad Australia, Oringi Protection Wear, Tabcorp Park Melton, Zilco, Claire Weston Photography, Roma Pocock, GrafxINC custom helmet design, Norton Estate Wines, Fly Veils by Deign and Virbac Australia."

The invitational was staged for the first time in 1990. A few years later it was re-named in honour of Noel Smith, a past president and delegate of the Horsham club, who made an enormous contribution to harness racing through his tireless work for the M&CTA and South West Zone Clubs.

The series consists of four $7000 ratings-exempt races with the invitees being randomly allocated a drive in each heat. Points are tallied to decide the winner and also the recipient of the dreaded wooden spoon.

Nominations for all eight events close with HRV at 12noon on Wednesday, March 3.