The Aquanita trainer is leaning towards the well-fancied Spinderbella as the best of his runners, but believes Electric Fusion is also a realistic winning hope in the race.

Smerdon said the Ballarat Cup – which he won with McGuane in 1996 – was a race he’d naturally love to secure again.

“When you are based there, (it’s your) hometown Cup and everyone likes to win a race on their home track and win the biggest race on their home track,” the Caulfield/Ballarat trainer said.

“It’s on the bucket list, that’s for sure ... I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”

Smerdon admitted he was a bit surprised by Spinderbella’s early favouritism in the 2200m race, but could understand why with a good barrier draw (gate three) and light weight (54kg) in a wide-open Cup field.

The lightly-framed mare, which will be ridden by Chad Schofield, has raced just nine times for five wins, including a swooping last-start victory at Moonee Valley on October 24.

The horse was then set to run in a group 2 over 2000m at Flemington during the Emirates Stakes meeting, but was scratched when the track became too firm.

This leaves the five-year-old daughter of Spinning World almost a month between runs heading into what Smerdon concedes is probably a step up from what she has been competing against.

Smerdon is also hoping some schooling has sharpened up Electric Fusion, whose form has been less than impressive for most of 2014.

The five-year-old has not won since December, but has been put over the hurdles this week in an attempt to recapture his best. This is something Smerdon said had been done when the horse was racing well last campaign.

Electric Fusion will be partnered in Ballarat by experienced jockey Dwayne Dunn and is expected to get back and run on after drawing wide in barrier 17.

“I would have thought these two are our best chances (in the Ballarat Cup) since Change of Fortune (second in 1995), that I can remember,” Smerdon said.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au