Archie Alexander hoping to line up another cup for Kiwia

"I'm not saying he's going to win, but it wouldn't surprise me if he won," he said.

"He hasn't had a win in 12 months, but if he could add a second Ballarat Cup, it would be a very special achievement."

Kiwia won last year's Sportsbet Ballarat Cup when trained by the now banned Darren Weir.

He had one start for Alexander in the autumn and the listed $500,000 Sportsbet Ballarat Cup, 2000m, will be he his fifth outing of the spring, with his best run being a third in the Coongy Cup, 2000m, at Caulfield.

The Ballarat Cup has been a target from the outset of the preparation.

"We probably would have liked to win a race before the Ballarat Cup. It's not the end of the world, but it would have been ideal to have won a race than missed our a few times."

Alexander, who had his first Cup runner last year with Lord Fandango, said the Cup was a tougher race this year with the boost in prizemoney.

"This is good for the race, but maybe not so good if you're trying to win it."

Alexander says one change that does suit Kiwia is the change in distance

"The change from 2200m to 2000m is a good thing for him.

"He's not a proper stayer, so the fact he's stepping up from 1800m last time to 2000m is better for him."

Originally from England, Alexander has been training in Ballarat for five years, but this Cup has a different feel to it for him.

"This year will be different for us.

"It's the first time we (Archie and his wife Annie) have had (son) Theo, which makes it his home cup and now our home cup," he said.

Alexander believes favourite Harbour Views is the danger if he gets a run.

Harbour View is second emergency and needs at least two acceptors above him to scratch to get to the barrier.

If the Matthew Williams-trained Kiwia misses out, Dr Drill from the Caulfield/Ballarat stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustice is likely to be sent out as favourite.