The race has rarely been run without a New Zealand presence.

Yulestar broke the ice for the Kiwis by taking out the event in 2001.

Just And Excuse followed suit in 2004.

There was then a dry spell for the visitors as Robin Hood (trained by Peter Tonkin) sparked a run of three successive victories by Ballarat-trained runners in 2006. Sting Lika Bee (Brian Tuddenham) followed in 2007 and Safari (Emma Stewart) completed a hattrick in 2008.

The New Zealanders have certainly hit back since, winning four of the past six Ballarat Pacing Cups – Stunin Cullen (2011), Highview Tommy (2012), Mah Sish (2013) and Smolda last year.

The Kiwis are again in the box seat with stablemates Smolda and Lazarus set to have massive bearing on the outcome of the race.

Second favourite Lennytheshark is the best chance that the Australian flag flies to highest.