In reality, it's just a benchmark 78 event carrying prizemoney of $25,000. But for many trainers, owners and jockeys, there's just something special about the Burrumbeet Cup.
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And it's a race Ballarat horseman Dan O'Sullivan would dearly love to win.
O'Sullivan can't recall ever having a runner in the New Year's Day feature, but will have two in the 2020 edition of the race.
The O'Sullivan team will be represented by Blunakka, a winner at the track in 2019, and recent acquisition Silent Warrior.
"It's the once-a-year meeting that all the locals like to get to and we had a bit of luck out there last year with Blunakka so hopefully we can go again this year with him," O'Sullivan said.
O'Sullivan said the horse had been "purposely bought" to eventually target the Burrumbeet Cup for a group of local owners that love the meeting.
"Last year we were able to tick off the (BM52) win so this year hopefully we can go a bit better and get the Cup for them," he said.
O'Sullivan said Blunakka was heading to the race in great order, despite an unlucky run at Werribee on December 24 when he finished last of eight runners.
"He goes into the race now very fit, this was his target race and as it's turned out he never had a hard run the other day at Werribee. But he has bounced through it and I couldn't ask for him to be going any better than what he is," he said.
Silent Warrior, a 2019 Wangaratta Cup and 2018 Stawell Cup winner, will have his second start for O'Sullivan since joining the stable from former trainer Stuart Gower.
"He's had a few little issues, a bit of a sore back (but) we think we've got that right," O'Sullivan said.
"He's a Stawell Cup winner and a Wangaratta Cup winner so he's got good form. If he could produce his best, he'd certainly be hard to beat," O'Sullivan said.
Apprentice Will Price will ride Blunakka, with Neil Farley to partner Silent Warrior.
Just around the corner from O'Sullivan's stables is fellow Miners Rest trainer Mitch Freedman who will also saddle up a Burrumbeet Cup runner for the first time.
Freedman has Not To Know in the race for jockey Jarrod Lorensini.
"He's probably been in the wilderness a little bit, he probably got a little bit round on us, but we have been targeting the Burrumbeet Cup for a while," Freedman said.
"I think we have got him trimmed up and in really good order heading there... he's been around there and trialed a fair few times so he knows the track and I look forward to seeing how he goes."
