ARARAT- The Rogers' family has had a close association with the Ararat Cup day meeting.
Despite living an hour from the track, the family considers Ararat home and have had several big wins at the track.
In 2006 Mad Dugal led all the way to win the Ararat Gold Cup for Jeff Rogers, and in 2009 daughter Leah Rogers is hoping to secure the $60,000 Ararat China Bowl with Views.
Rogers said while her horse had won at Ararat before, it would need an ounce of luck to win on Sunday.
Regular rider Christine Puls will not take the ride, but Horsham hoop Dean Yendall takes the ride, having ridden the gelding in a previous preparation.
Rogers said the horse was in good form, having scored a come-from-behind win at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Views will be up against a top quality field, led by Stawell-trained Poised to Win and Did We Win, Telopea Downs middle distance galloper Bonindi and quality gallopers Sensational Toy and Game Serena.
The China Bowl is one of many big races at Ararat on Sunday, along with the feature event, the $50,000 NMIT Ararat Gold Cup, which features a strong field of country gallopers.
Fresh from a last-start win in the St Arnaud Cup, the Darren Weir-trained Sooze will be tough to beat in Sunday's cup.
There are a host of challengers, led by the O'Sullivan trained Last Drop, consistent Ballarat galloper Sylvan O'Reilly, along with Miss Martika, Ronald John and Redondo Beach.
O'Sullivan said Last Drop was a quality performer who had the ability to win Sunday's Ararat Cup, but that a wide barrier draw could hurt his chances.
''The poor bloke drew 17 of 17 last start and now he has to jump from 11 of 11,'' he said.
''We were going to try to get him on the speed, but now we will have to go back and try to come from the rear of the field.''
Sooze is the horse to beat in the race, winning at St Arnaud last start, but before that placing second at Morphettville and fourth behind red-hot Colac galloper Bourbonstreetblues at Murtoa.
Sylvan O'Reilly was a winner at Horsham on Horsham Cup Day and has an extremely strong record on the country circuit.
Heritage Port is an each-way chance, having finished second in the Gunbower and St Arnaud Cups, but this looks to be a tougher prospect.
Redondo Beach, Miss Martika, Ronald John and Rubiquin have all finished behind Bourbonstreetblues at either Murtoa or Horsham cups.
This race looks to be ideal for Sooze, but there will be claims for Sylvan O'Reilly and Last Drop.
Stawell galloper Kala Princess and Longerenong galloper Fall of Rome will contest the final of the Golden Grain series, which is the final event on the nine-race program.
Kala Princess is returning to racing after a spell. Last campaign, Kala Princess had a successful stint with wins at Tatura and Mildura.
Leading South Australian hoop Clare Lindop will take the ride.
Fall of Rome has placed at Horsham and Echuca in its past two starts and should be again around the money for trainer Majella Ballantine and jockey Linda Meech.
The first event at Ararat jumps at 12.45pm and the last, the final of the Golden Grain series, jumps at 5.25pm.
Trent Horneman selects: Sooze to take it two cups in a row, defeating Sylvan O'Reilly, Last Drop flashing home late in the Ararat Cup, and Did We Win storming to victory in the China Bowl.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter