Shepparton will kick-start the metropolitan roadshow away from Melton with a nine-race card this Saturday night.

With infield works and lighting upgrades being completed at Tabcorp Park, the next five metro meetings will be held at different venues around the state.

The Shepparton races are headlined by the Group 3 TAB Touch Merchant Trotters Free For All, which sees the return of David Aiken-trained Group 1-winning veteran Big Jack Hammer from a long spell.

He will take on Andy Gath’s star Majestuoso, who is looking to turn the tables on Ross Graham’s in-form squaregaiter Nephew Of Sonoko.

An up-to-$100,000 claimer and quality fast class pace for horses rated between 88 and 105 are also part of the nine-race card, which begins with the first at 5.27pm.

Nikkita Ross will anchor the night’s TrotsVision coverage alongside caller Lachlan McIntosh.

After this Saturday night, metro meetings will then be held at Cranbourne (July 9), Ballarat (July 16), Kilmore (July 23) and Bendigo (July 30) before racing returns to Melton in August.

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Cover picture: Shepparton Harness Racing Club Facebook page