Co-trainer Terry O’Sullivan is banking on the step up in distance to 2200m to help the chances of Magnapal in the Listed $300,000 Ballarat Cup at Ballarat on Saturday.

Magnapal, above in light blue colours, will step up in distance in the Ballarat Cup at Ballarat. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Magnapal’s Spring form isn’t flattering but O’Sullivan was happy with his last start eleventh in the Group 3 $150,000 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Sandown last Saturday and said that the seven year old is ready to perform at his best.

“I would have preferred to see Luke (Currie) get to the outside rather than get bottled up in amongst them, but I thought his run wasn’t too bad,” O’Sullivan told AAP.

“He wasn’t beaten that far and I think he’s looking for a little more ground so I’m pretty keen to have a go at the race.”

O’Sullivan who trains in partnership with his daughter Katrina said that Magnapal has had an interrupted Spring Carnival and had to have a short rest after pulling up distressed after running ninth in the Group 3 $200,000 JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on September 30.

“He pulled up a bit crook after the JRA Cup so we couldn’t go on,” O’Sullivan said.

The O’Sullivans have also nominated Golden Oldies for the Ballarat Cup and the five year old is chasing a hat trick after wins in the St Arnaud Cup (2000m) on October 22 and in the Ararat Gold Cup (2000m) on November 6.

“He’s racing really well and he was pretty promising as a three-year-old until he did a tendon,” O’Sullivan said.

“It’s been a long haul back and it took him a few runs to hit his straps.

“I think he’s racing particularly well and I suppose the question is, is he up to the class?

“I think he deserves a crack at it and we’ll find out on Saturday if he’s up to it.”

Luke Currie will keep his association with Magnapal in the Ballarat Cup while Linda Meech has been booked to ride Golden Oldies.