SPANISH Vixen is aiming to make history and claim back-to-back victories in the Seppelt Salinger Great Western Cup on Sunday at the annual country race meeting.
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The six-year-old mare is well poised to repeat her heroics of last year, with trainer Paul Jones giving her the tick of approval.
"We are pretty happy with her, but I suppose you just have to wait and see what barrier we draw and things like that," Jones said this week.
"Regardless of that though, I am pretty confident that she will give us a good sight."
Yesterday morning it was announced Spanish Vixen would jump from barrier seven in her quest for a second Great Western Cup in as many years.
At the time, the 2014 victory over the 1850-metre journey was the biggest of the Stawell-trained horse's career, with wins in the Halls Gap Cup and St Arnaud Cup following in the next 12 months.
On December 19, the daughter by sire Al Samer out of dam Vixen General added another achievement by saluting in a $35,000 race at Mooney Valley.
Jones said Spanish Vixen had handled the step up in grade.
"Her rating has gone up, so that means she has been running in stiffer races than this time last year," he said.
"Her form this time in has been very consistent, the only two blemishes on her card this preparation have been on rain-effected tracks, which she doesn't like. Apart from that her form has been good and we are pretty happy with her.
"The track at Great Western should be firm enough that it will be to her liking."
"The biggest challenge for the reigning Cup holder is likely to come from top weight Jahan.
The five-year-old gelding, trained by Warrnambool's Symon Wilde, has recent winning form, claiming the Penshurst Cup two starts back on Boxing Day after saluting a Stawell the week prior.
The gelding also scored a win at NMIT Ararat Park during the Gold Cup race day in November.
Elusive King, the Wycheproof Cup winner and the in-form Why Mallan are two others that can't be discounted in the eight-strong field on Sunday."
Jones said punters could always count on an honest race from Spanish Vixen.
"She doesn't have to lead, but she normally begins well and races fairly handy, which is good," he said.
"She gets out, puts herself in a good spot and sort of stays out of trouble.
"It would be great (to go back-to-back), it is a great race. It is an iconic race in this region.
"The club and committee down there do a fantastic job in the way they prepare the track and put on the event. We are pretty happy to be able to support them.
"Most of the tracks in the state are under VRC control in some capacity, so Great Western is one of only a few small tracks that are still run voluntarily.
"This year the race meeting actually has TAB status, which I suppose is testament to all the work the club has put in over the years."
