Australian Racing Hall of Fame member Gai Waterhouse has won two of Ballarat richest races in the past decade.
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The Offer saluted for her in the 2013 Ballarat Cup, while Carriages scored in the 2014 Magic Millions 2yo Clockwise Classic.
Now she and training partner Adrian Bott have short-priced favourite Social Element in the $350,000 Ecycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase, 4500m, at Sportsbet Ballarat on Sunday.
Chasing a fifth consecutive win, Social Element looks like starting odds-on in the seven-strong line-up on a tracked rated on Friday as a soft7.
Bott told SENTrack radio earlier this week that the New Zealand-bred eight-year-old was is in great order.
"He has continued to thrive this preparation and has gone from strength-to-strength with each run.
"He has more than held his form going into this race. His condition looks excellent and I have been happy with him with everything he has done this week.
"It will be his toughest test yet, but he seems to be showing that level of improvement and confidence every time he steps out.
"I am really looking forward to him stepping out," Bott said.
If Waterhouse can capture one of the great jumps races of Australia, it will round out what has been a big year for Social Element, which is lightly raced after missing all 2020.
Social Element resumed after four trials with a fourth on the flat and has since strung together steeplechase wins at Warrnambool (twice), Pakenham and Sandown Lakeside, where he took out the Crisp over Ablaze and Flying Agent.
While there is no Ablaze on Sunday, Flying Agent is backing up for Ballarat trainer Amy McDonald.
Another to have started his career in NZ, Flying Agent has done a great job for McDonald this year.
He also had one run on the flat before stepping out to win a hurdle at Hamilton.
He again reinforced his versatility with a victory on the flat at Bendigo before running fourth in the Thackery Steeplechase at Warrnambool.
The nine-year-old went back over the hurdles before taking on the Crisp.
McDonald had topped off his preparation for Sunday's grand final with a trial at Traralgon.
Sunday's all jumps race meeting features six races, with the Grand National Steeplechase the last on the program.
