Gold Force Set For Seismic Ballarat Cup Test

BRILLIANT speedster Gold Force has been handed the sternest of tests for his first ascension to group race company in Sunday's star-studded heats of the Group 2 Sportsbet Ballarat Cup (450m).

The gifted son of Aussie Infrared, which returned to racing on May 9 with a mindboggling 24.06 track record run at Goulburn, will match motors with two-time group 1 winner Flying Zulu in an engrossing qualifier of the series.

But the depth of quality doesn't stop there, with 29-time winner Aston Fantastic and multiple city victor Milton Cranberry also set to provide formidable opposition in an action-packed heat.

Gold Force's trainer Denice Warren elected to send her record breaking charge to good friend Glenn Rounds for the Ballarat Cup campaign in order to give him every chance of producing his brilliant best.

FIELDS AND FORM BALLARAT ON SUNDAY

"He's been down with Glenn since last Saturday and has settled in great," Warren said.

"I knew there wouldn't be an issue with that, he's that kind of dog, he takes everything in his stride.

"Glenn gave him a trial over the shorts at Ballarat on Monday night and he went really well so he's all set for Sunday.

"It's a big step up but he's earned the opportunity to have a go at this grade now. We'll learn a bit more about him on Sunday but whatever the result he won't disappoint me."

Gold Force heads into the Ballarat Cup as arguably the fastest greyhound in training up to 450 metres.

With six wins and a second from seven starts, the rising three-year-old recently spent six months on the sidelines following a tendon injury sustained at Wentworth Park last December.

But the layoff did little to impair his ability, returning arguably better – and faster – than he was before.

Tipping the scales at just under 40 kilos, Warren said the time is now for Gold Force to contest some of the more coveted feature assignments and fulfill his potential.

"He's such a big dog and is exerting so much pressure on those legs, the time is right to test him at this level," Warren said.

"I haven't had a good look at the field on Sunday but I don't mind box eight for him. 

"We know he's not brilliant at box rise but he really gets going thereafter. Being the size he is it's hard for him to get down in front of the grills in the boxes.

"Even when he's on the walker at home I'm worried he's going to fall off the back sometimes."

Seven heats of the Ballarat Cup will be decided on Sunday where the heat winners and fastest second will progress through to the following Friday's finale.

Series favourite is $2 million earner Explicit which has drawn box one in the opening heat to launch his defence after annexing the race last year.