With the Cox Plate in the bag, trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are now turning their focus to the Melbourne Cup.
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They have five of the 45 third acceptor's for the cup at Flemington next Tuesday, including Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet.
Maher and Eustace, who have part of their training empire in Ballarat, also have Persan, Etah James, Azuro and Lord Belvedere pursuing a start in the race that stops a nation.
Matt Cumani and Archie Alexander are other Ballarat with gallopers also still in the hunt.
Cumani has Future Score and San Huberto, and Alexander has Gallic Chieftain and Haky.
Cumani will also half an eye on the progress of Etah James, having trained the New Zealand-bred mare for the bulk of her career until a switch of stable.
Ballarat stable ballot order:
CIARON MAHER-DAVID EUSTACE
Azuro 34th
Etah James 19th
Lord Belvedere (not passed first ballot clause)
Persan (exempt from ballot)
Sir Dragonet (exempt from ballot)
MATT CUMANI
Future Score (not passed first ballot clause)
San Huberto 26th
ARCHIE ALEXANDER
Gallic Chieftain 38th
Haky 37th
Azuro, Lordo Belvedere, Future Score and Haky are each seeking to force their way into the field of 24 via the Lexus Hotham Stakes, 2500m,at Flemington on Saturday.
The winner is guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup.
Sir Dragonet has risen to the second line of Melbourne Cup betting after his Cox Plate win at his first start in Australia.
Overseas visitor Tiger Moth is favourite.
