He won the Woodford Cup at Warrnambool on December 30, 2012, and then on New Year’s Day this year finished second in the Bagot Handicap.

Darren Weir is now setting Hurdy Gurdy Man to go one better in the listed $150,000 Bagot Handicap, 2800m, at Flemington on Thursday.

Hurdy Gurdy Man has followed what is now his usual pattern of racing this preparation – taking two or three runs to find his feet.

The seven-year-old did not show much at all in his first three starts this preparation.

He turned that around though with a fourth in the Ballarat Cup and then followed up with a close-up third in the Werribee Classic, 2635m, on December 14.

Hurdy Gurdy Man now looks ready to win, but if he does go to Flemington he will have to carry the top weight of 60kg.

Ballarat Cup winner Mujadale is next in the weights on 59kg, while Weir has also nominated Mobaco (57kg) and young Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander has entered Martinvast.

Alexander has also nominated stable newcomer Amorino for the group 3 $150,000 Standish Handicap, 1200m, at Flemington.

The five-year-old has arrived from Western Australia with three wins in nine career starts – all victories in listed company.

KYLIE and Steven Vella are finishing the year on a high,  thanks to the progeny of Zupaone.

Having just his third outing for the Vellas’ Mannibadar stable, Zupacharged ($6) saluted in a benchmark64 handicap, 1100m, at Warrnambool on Sunday.

That came two days after Zupasonic ($16) scored in a benchmark64 handicap, 1200m, at Geelong.

Steven Vella was in the saddle on each occasion.

Both are raced by prominent stable clients Francis and Karen Butler.

Zupacharged was prepared by Mick Price at Caulfield before going into the care of Kylie Vella earlier this year.

The five-year-old has now raced 11 times for two wins and five minor placings in 11 starts.

Zupasonic has been with the Vellas for 10 of his 11 starts, having spent a short time with Mark Young, and now has three wins.

LEICA Day has a fair bit to live up to, but the three-year-old has certainly kicked off his career on the right note.

The son of Any Given Sunday scored on debut for Ballarat trainer Darren Weir in a 3yo maiden, 1200m, at Geelong on Boxing Day.

Being out of Leica Man, Leica Day is a half-brother to Geelong Cup winner and 2009 Melbourne Cup runner Leica Ding, which was also prepared by Weir.

Boxing Day proved a productive day for Ballarat district stables.

As well as Kylie Vella’s success, Weir had a double at Geelong and Alexander landed the money with Little By Little ($4.60) in a Kerang maiden, 110m.

Andrew Payne also broke a run of minor placings with Wingedeagles Glory ($5) in a Nhill maiden, 1650m.

The Denman 3yo colt won on debut and is the first foal out of two-time New Zealand-bred winner Sassybella.

Caulfield’s Henry Dwyer, who has a satellite stable in Ballarat, ventured to Penshurst to taste his success for the day.

Brightlikeadimaond ($1.85 favourite) bounced back from running down the track on debut in March to take out a 3yo maiden, 1284m.

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au