Making his Australian debut, Heaven Rocks has opened up at $2 with TAB.com.au after drawing barrier one for the group 1 $100,000 event.

He shades stablemate and boom four-year-old Vincent ($2.60) in the early betting as their trainer Mark Purdon shoots for three victories in the race in a row.

Shadow Sax heads up the Australian assault on the Cup, which has attracted a nine-strong field.

The Emma Stewart-trained Shadow Sax, fresh from a win in the group 1 South Australian Cup, has drawn ideally in gate two – although Heaven Rocks is tipped to be bustled up to hold the lead.

Shadow Sax has pulled out from his Adelaide assignment and partner stablemate Major Secret as Cardigan trainer Emma Stewart aims to add to successes in the race with Safari and Restrepo.

It Is Billy, which was a late nomination, will line up for his third Ballarat Cup start for Daylesford trainer Mick Barby.

Bernie Winkle provides another Ballarat flavour. He is trained and driven by Bendigo’s Glenn Douglas, who grew up in Ballarat.

While on the fourth line of betting at $9, champion Lennytheshark will start the sentimental favourite.

He has won most of Australia’s biggest races to be one of the all-time greats, but has had to settle for minor placings in the Cup in the past two years.

Ballarat and District Trotting Club will have a 10-race program on Saturday night, with three Victoria Derby heats and the group 2 $30,000 Cochran Trotters’ Cup.

The first event at Bray Raceway is at 6.32pm