He grew up around the thoroughbred racing industry.

Lester initially entered the media 20 years ago as a trackman at Cranbourne.

Nowadays he is best known for his various roles on racing station Radio Sport National (RSN).

If the wheelchair-bound Lester is not trackside at a metropolitan race meeting, his dulcet tones can be heard regularly on RSN.

Lester has also become involved in racehorse ownership over the years.

Big Pat provided one of his biggest thrills as an owner when the grey won the 2003 Saab Quality.

He has had numerous gallopers since and enjoyed his share of success, including last year’s Kyneton Cup winner Constant Force.

Lester’s passion for racing extends beyond the big city tracks.

He has become a regular Burrumbeet racegoer on New Year’s Day.

So much has Lester come to like the meeting, he wants to win the $15,000 Scott Petroleum Burrumbeet Cup, 1800m.

And he might do that today with the Darren Weir-trained Heisman.

Lester heads up a syndicate which races the six-year-old.

The ownership features several Burrumbeet Park and Windermere Racing Club committee members.

Past president Melville Charles, who is part of the ownership, said Weir had acquired Heisman for Lester and the syndicate with the Burrumbeet Cup in mind.

Heisman was previously prepared by Mark Young at Colac.

This is not the first time Burrumbeet Park and Windermere Racing Club committee members have had a tilt at winning the Cup.

Ballarat trainer Terry Kelly was successful in winning the 2007 Burrumbeet Cup with Skalaad for a similar group of owners.

Heisman, which will carry the minimum 55kg, is in his first campaign for Weir and, at his fourth outing, won a 0-64 handicap, 1612m, to round out his preparation.

Weir has two chances in six of winning the feature event.

He also saddles up Xavier, which has been on the country cups trail without getting the major prize.

TOP WEIGHT Quick Shakes will be endeavouring to provide Ballarat trainer Simon Morrish and stable jockey Dean Larsson with a change of luck in the Burrumbeet Cup.

The Cup has been won by many Ballarat trainers and jockeys over the years but, despite several attempts, Morrish and Larsson have so far come up empty-handed.

They combined for sixth with Equal Rights last year and fourth with Chouxmaani in 2011, 

Larsson also finished fifth on Jeune Baby Jeune in 2012, third on Lord Lucan in 2010, second on agents in  2009.

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au