Field Set For Ballarat Cup Decider

A star-studded field of sprinters has been assembled for this weekend's Group 2 Ballarat Cup Final (450m) after the staging of eight action packed heats on Saturday night.

Setting the pace equally for the $47,000 to-the-winner finale is Aston Kimetto and Fully Loaded after the pair were hugely impressive in their qualifiers on Saturday, running a sizzling 24.96 apiece.

Aston Kimetto, a son of Kc And All and former champion stayer Sweet It Is, will be out to deliver owner Ray Borda and trainer Seona Thompson back-to-back Ballarat Cup triumphs, following the stirring victory of their champion chaser Aston Dee Bee in 2017.

Winner at nine of his 18 appearances, Aston Kimetto will be searching for a third group race victory on Saturday night when he exits box three, already boasting the Group 3 Warragul St. Leger and Group 2 Geelong Cup on his ever-improving resume.

Equally impressive in Saturday night's heats was Fully Loaded for trainer Neville Wakefield, leading all-the-way to claim a 28^th race win from 52 starts.

A litter-brother to Group 1 Topgun hero Poke The Bear, who incidentally was bundled out of the series in the final heat when beaten as a long odds on favourite, Fully Loaded will step out for his second group race final on Saturday night, where the son of Fernando Bale will exit box five.

In what looms as an absorbing Group 2 clash, trainer Brooke Ennis will be represented in the final by hugely impressive 25.11 heat winner Belt Up Bubbs, while Andrea Dailly will be represented by Dyna Patty (box 8) and Speed Star (box 4).

Steve Collins will line-up his outstanding galloper Dyna Hunter from box six, while grand campaigner Shadale, winner of his heat in 25.41, will exit box two.

Trainer Seona Thompson will have a two-pronged attack on Saturday night's final also qualifying powerhouse galloper Spring Bridge, the son of My Bro Fabio charging home for a 25.19 heat success.

Group 2 Ballarat Cup Final (450m)

1. Belt Up Bubbs
2. Shadale
3. Aston Kimetto
4. Speed Star
5. Fully Loaded
6. Dyna Hunter
7. Spring Bridge
8. Dyna Patty
9. Sanjiro
10. Rixy Ya Pest