A return to the winner's stall in country Victoria has Alcopop primed to head back to Flemington take on Group One company.The six-year-old claimed a narrow victory in the $110,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) to set up a start in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.Trained by Jake Stephens at Strathalbyn in South Australia, Alcopop hadn't won since October 2009 when victory in the Herbert Power cemented his favouritism for that year's Melbourne Cup.He ran a creditable sixth to Sh

A return to the winner's stall in country Victoria has Alcopop primed to head back to Flemington take on Group One company.

The six-year-old claimed a narrow victory in the $110,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) to set up a start in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.

Trained by Jake Stephens at Strathalbyn in South Australia, Alcopop hadn't won since October 2009 when victory in the Herbert Power cemented his favouritism for that year's Melbourne Cup.

He ran a creditable sixth to Shocking but his career has faltered since apart from one bright spot when he ran second to So You Think in last year's Yalumba Stakes.

A relieved and emotional Jake Stephens admitted he had felt the pressure.

"It's a great relief," Stephens told TVN.

"Things are tough when you do it all yourself, there's a lot of pressure.

"It's a great feeling.

"He will go to the Australian Cup and there's a bit of a tough decision as far as a rider goes but it's just great to see him win."

Ben Melham, who brought Alcopop with a well timed run to nab Its Prince by a short half head, immediately put his hand up to ride in the Australian Cup on March 12.

"It was a good tradesmanlike win," he said.

"It's on to the Australian Cup now and hopefully I can stick with him."

Stephens said the win was even better than it looked because Alcopop hadn't handled the trip from South Australia as well as hoped and dehydration had caused some concern.

The Mick Price-trained Heart Of Dreams, winner of Saturday's St George Stakes, was TAB Sportsbet's $4.60 favourite for the Australian Cup on Sunday ahead of Zipping at $6 while Alcopop was an $18 chance.