Count Of Limonade will head for the spelling paddock irrespective of how he races in the Ballarat Cup.
An Irish-bred son of Duke Of Marmalade, Count Of Limonade is part-owned by OTI Racing who will be out to continue its recent run of success in Saturday’s 2200-metre feature event at the stand-alone fixture at Ballarat.
Last week at Sandown OTI Racing collected the Zipping Classic with Au Revoir and the Sandown Cup with Renew after disastrous start to the week which saw the death of Sandown and Geelong Cups winner Ibicenco following a paddock accident.
However trainer Mick Price issued a word of warning that the Count Of Limonade would not take his place at Ballarat if the track is too firm.
Count Of Limonade was down to run at Sandown last week but was a race-morning scratching with an elevated temperature.
A winner of the Moe Cup on a slow track, Count Of Limonade hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Bendigo Cup on a good surface on October 29.
Price said Count Of Limonade had felt the Bendigo track and believes if it had been a little softer it might have been a different result.
“He’s typical of those European imports in that they need the right track surfaces to show their best,” Price said.
“This will will be his last chance this preparation as I want to give him a chance in the autumn.
“He’s a bit of a wet tracker and we haven’t seen the best of him as yet.
“His Moe Cup win was good before he felt the ground at Bendigo.
“Obviously he has to go up in grade but I think he can.
“Win, lose or draw we’ll spell him after Saturday for the autumn.”
