A shock defeat hasn't dampened the Danny O'Brien stable's enthusiasm for taking Ballack to Western Australia for the Perth Cup on New Year's Day.Ballack started odds-on in Saturday's Leighton Contractors Handicap (2000m) at Flemington but just failed in a photo finish with rejuvenated stayer Ulysses winning the race."There was nothing wrong with the run," said stable foreman Gerard Tesoriero."I think Steven (Arnold) just got caught napping at the top of the straight a bit when Ulysses gave a bit
A shock defeat hasn't dampened the Danny O'Brien stable's enthusiasm for taking Ballack to Western Australia for the Perth Cup on New Year's Day.
Ballack started odds-on in Saturday's Leighton Contractors Handicap (2000m) at Flemington but just failed in a photo finish with rejuvenated stayer Ulysses winning the race.
"There was nothing wrong with the run," said stable foreman Gerard Tesoriero.
"I think Steven (Arnold) just got caught napping at the top of the straight a bit when Ulysses gave a bit of a kick.
"Steven said he (Ballack) was looking for 2400 metres now.
"If he had been a length closer the horse wins."
"It doesn't stop us from sending him over to Perth for the Cup.
"With 52kg in Perth Cup we would be mad not to send him over."
Five-year-old Ballack is no stranger to Perth having run second to Guyno in the 2007 WATC Derby (2400m) at Ascot.
Among his four wins from 22 starts is the Group Three Tatt's Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm which he won on protest from Fast Future in June this year.
He was unplaced at his first two runs in the spring before an eye-catching second to Road To Rock over 2000 metres at Flemington.
TAB Sportsbet last week opened Ballack as the $7 favourite for the Perth Cup ahead of fellow Victorian Mission Critical at $7.50.