Melbourne Cup hero Whiskey Riot might have had his colours lowered in the Ballarat Cup heats, but trainer Anthony Azzopardi is upbeat about finishing 2019 with back-to-back group level triumphs.
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A shock heat defeat has done little to dampen Azzopardi's enthusiasm about winning the Ballarat Cup for the second time in three years on Saturday night.
Azzopardi won the race in 2016 with Zambora Brockie.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Whiskey Riot pings the lids and leads," Azzopardi said.
After claiming a thrilling Melbourne Cup triumph, where he edged out another Ballarat Cup finalist in Western Envoy, Whiskey Riot was upset at $1.70 by Snags McKenzie in his heat last week.
Whiskey Riot is the $3.50 second elect in TAB's market, behind fastest qualifier La Grand Quality, the $2.80 favourite.
However, Azzopardi isn't second-guessing his decision to host the boom NSW youngster and trainer Darryl Thomas.
"If Darryl doesn't win a big race with La Grand Quality I might try and take the dog off him!" Azzopardi laughed.
"I'll be honest and I've just won a Melbourne Cup and I would love to win another Ballarat Cup, but if I don't win it then I really hope Darryl does.
"It's Darryl's first crack at a big one and he's doing the hard yards, away from home. I know what that's like."
