Ballarat veteran trainer Barry James has had his share of good fortune over many years in the racing game.

However, he is yet to have enough in a race he would desperately like to win _ the Ballarat Cup.

James has another go at winning the listed event tomorrow when he saddles up Sylvan O'Reilly.

The same galloper lined up in the race a year ago.

Sylvan O'Reilly went to the lead on a heavy track, but he became bogged down and finished last.

His form was fine going into the cup, having won the Ararat Gold Cup.

James said he just did not handle the heavy track.

"It was very heavy and it didn't suit him."

Sylvan O'Reilly faces a much different scenario this year with a firm track guaranteed.

James said Sylvan O'Reilly had come back this time better than ever.

"He's a better horse and hopefully he runs well."

James cannot fault his four runs this campaign, which include a first-up third at Bendigo, a win at Horsham and a luckless second in the Ararat Gold Cup.

There is not much doubt that with a clear run, Sylvan O'Reilly would have made it back-to-back Ararat Cups.

James said the six-year-old was bolting, and with a faster pace the race would have opened up, and he would have won comfortably.

The Ballarat Cup will be much tougher.

James has no doubt about that and he is not sure whether Sylvan O'Reilly can measure up to the top chances.

But you can never say never in racing, and James knows he can only win if he is in it.

James has engaged group one winning jockey Danny Nikolic, who from barrier one should be able to smother Sylvan O'Reilly away on the rails, not too far from the pace.