O'Farrell partly has his mates to thank for getting him in and ready for the race down the Ballarat Cup straight.

While O'Farrell was certain to be late to Cup activities - he was doing some electrical work in Melbourne this morning - James Quayle made sure to enter his name.

It was also Quayle who tested him in a test run, backwards over 10 metres, in a pub beer garden last night.

Quayle finished runner-up in the 20-strong field.

O'Farrell was rapt to pocket the $5000 winner's cheque but said running backwards had definitely given him a new perspective on sprinting.

"It has it's difficulties for sure," O'Farrell said.

Meanwhile 62-year-old Maggie Korosec entered the event to challenge the youngsters and have fun.

Maggie has asthma and emphysema but said neither would stop her "giving it a good go".