Trainer Michael Hickmott is hopeful new stable recruit Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to enjoy over the coming weeks.

The gelding travels from South Australia for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may back up seven days later in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m).

Previously with Greg Eurell and later Ciaron Maher, Promises Kept has had two runs for Hickmott, finishing sixth first-up in the Listed Murray Bridge Cup (1600m) before a fifth behind Air Assault in the Listed John Letts Stakes (1800m) on November 4.

“He was always going to need the run first-up,” Hickmott said.

“I thought his first-up run was a pass mark then his next run was clearly dominated by on-pacers.

“His sectionals, right up until the 200-metre mark, were everything as good as anything in the race, but he flattened out in the last furlong.

“Up to the 2000 metres suits better and we’re looking at running him in this and then back-up into the Pakenham Cup with him.”

Last campaign, Promises Kept won over 2200m at Hobart before consecutive placings in the Hobart Cup and Launceston Cup, though he finished last when stretched to 3200m in the Adelaide Cup.

Hickmott said he had not looked beyond next week’s Pakenham Cup.

“He’s a lovely old horse that is in the zone… but it is a very good race on Saturday,” he said.

Hickmott also sends Party Crasher to Ballarat for the Hertz Handicap (2000m) after his Flemington win on Melbourne Cup Day.

“He’s a progressive horse… and I expect him to be really competitive in what is a strong race.”