And trainer-driver Lance Justice thinks he’s ready to avenge his luckless defeat in last year’s PETstock Ballarat Cup.

Sixth in last year’s edition, the opportunistic son of Live Or Die has already pulled off a rare coup with his successful stint across the Nullarbor, but unfinished business at home still looms large.

“He probably should have won the Ballarat Cup last year,” Justice said. “He was held up for a long way and still finished close up.

“He’s taken no harm from all his travels, he hasn’t lost a thing, so there’s no reason why we can’t be more than competitive this time around and maybe even pull it off.”

The $125,000 Barastoc Grand Circuit event, run over 2710 metres, is the last major goal for the six-year-old before he heads to Sydney for next month’s Inter Dominion and after drawing barrier two he must be considered a huge chance.

“We are drawn well,” Justice said. “Our Malabar can really fly the gate from time to time and even though he hasn’t led all that often, the draw gives us options.

“I’m not too concerned if he can’t cross them though. Ballarat has a nice, long straight so it isn’t imperative that we be right up in the firing line. He should still get his chance.”

It is clear in Justice’s voice that he is happy to be back in the company of a horse who he always believed in and who has improved so radically while under his care.

“I always thought he’d make a fast-class horse, right from when he was three,” he said. “So to have him in these sorts of races - and he will win a big one some day - is very satisfying.

“John McCarthy said to me that he should have nearly won over there (when third in the WA Pacing Cup). He said his horse (Washakie) could have been in trouble if we had got out a bit sooner. So here’s not far from the mark.”

The Ballarat Cup, at 10pm, is the highlight of night two of the Sky Racing Nights Of Glory, which also features Inter Dominion Trotting Championship semi finals and The Pure Steel, a traditional lead-up to the BIG6 Hunter Cup.