Ballarat trainer Andrew Noblet will have dual representation as he attempts to win his hometown Cup for the first time.
Ghodeleine and Foxy Frida will run for Noblet in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, a race that carries prize money of $500,000.
Noblet said it would mean a lot if he was to capture Saturday’s race.
“It will be hard to win as it’s come up very strong, but we’ve got two each-way chances,” Noblet said.
“It would mean a hell of a lot, especially training here as you always like to feature in your local Cup.”
Ghodeleine took out the Moe Cup (2050m) on a heavy track last month before finishing seventh to Zayydani in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 6.
Noblet said it was a run-by-run scenario with Ghodeleine, but he was happy to be taking his chance.
“She bounced through that run at Flemington really well and she didn’t have much luck, so we’re happy to go around here,” Noblet said.
“I’m not sure we’re going to get the real soft conditions we would have liked, but it won’t be into the good range anyway.”
Foxy Frida heads to the 2000m for the first time and is coming off a victory in the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington on November 4.
Off-putting for Noblet is Foxy Frida’s draw of 20, but the mare will jump from barrier 16, after scratchings, which is the capacity field limit from the 2000m start.
“They tell me last year’s winner came out of 16, so we’ll see if we can do it again,” Noblet said.
“I would have liked a softer draw for her, but she does get back anyway.
“If she can run a strong 2000 (metres), it opens up a few doors for her in the autumn and if she can’t, then we can keep her to a mile and base her preparation around that.”
