Ballarat trainer Darren Weir expects the spacious track at Flemington will favour Oak Heart in Saturday's Banjo Paterson Final at Flemington.Weir offered no excuses for the entire's battling third to Niptious and Black And Bent in last week's final heat of the series over 2500 metres at Moonee Valley."He wasn't good enough last time but getting away from the Valley might suit him better," Weir said.He said that while Oak Heart had been placed at two of his four runs at Moonee Valley he was still

Ballarat trainer Darren Weir expects the spacious track at Flemington will favour Oak Heart in Saturday's Banjo Paterson Final at Flemington.

Weir offered no excuses for the entire's battling third to Niptious and Black And Bent in last week's final heat of the series over 2500 metres at Moonee Valley.

"He wasn't good enough last time but getting away from the Valley might suit him better," Weir said.

He said that while Oak Heart had been placed at two of his four runs at Moonee Valley he was still a maiden on the StrathAyr surface.

He hasn't finished further back than sixth at Flemington and won on the track over 2000 metres on May 8 before a luckless fourth in the second heat of the Banjo Paterson Series over Saturday's distance of 2500 metres on June 5.

"He hasn't gone backwards in the last week and I am sure he is going to run a good race," Weir said.

"He's a hard, fit horse and racing well."

Weir said the likelihood of genuine speed would only help Oak Heart who has at times wanted to pull in his races.

Trainer Danny Curran said his only concern about Niptious was how much the hard-fought win over Black And Bent last week had taken out of the horse.

Niptious led all the way but only got home in a photo-finish.

"Obviously we are thrilled with what he did last week but it was a hard run," Curran said.

He said that Niptious would again be in the first three but was unsure if he would lead again.

"It depends on how fast they go," Curran said.

He said riding tactics would be left up to Craig Newitt.

"One thing about the horse is that he can sustain a very long run," Curran said.

Despite his recent win Niptious, who also finished fourth to Oak Heart at Sandown two starts ago, is expected to have an uphill battle to score again on Saturday with TAB Sportsbet quoting him at $15.

Oak Heart is $4.50 favourite in an open race ahead of Red Buttons and Shylock's Daughter who are both at $5.50.