Berkeley Square will attempt to become just the second locally trained runner in a decade to win consecutive Ballarat Cups.

Kiwia achieved the feat in 2018 and 2019, winning first over 2200m for Darren Weir before scoring again over the shortened 2000m trip under Archie Alexander.

Berkeley Square delivered trainer Dan O’Sullivan his first hometown Cup last year, and he hopes the gelding can repeat the performance on Saturday.

“I would never say that it was a goal winning the race, although you always like to win any good race,” O’Sullivan said.

“We had Tuscan Fire nearly start favourite in it one year and then we just got beaten with Affair To Remember during the COVID year, so it really was a big buzz last year, and the horse deserved it.

“Then you throw Jaylah (Kennedy) in the mix. She got back on him, it was her 100th career win and her first Listed win on her favourite horse in her own backyard.”

Had scheduling been different, Berkeley Square would have targeted the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) had it remained at Sandown.

He finished third in last year’s Zipping before backing up a week later to claim the Ballarat Cup.

O’Sullivan said the weather also influenced his decision to avoid Caulfield, not wanting another wet-track run after the gelding felt the effects of a heavy surface when fifth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on November 8.

“As much as he has been effective on a wet track, his last run it was pretty wet, so I thought I would rather keep him for Ballarat,” O’Sullivan said.

“Four weeks between runs, back to the 2000 (metres), he’s freshened up nicely.

“He’s nice and bright and we’re trying to go back-to-back.”

Berkeley Square was among 29 nominees for the Ballarat Cup, with Air Assault, Casino Seventeen, Kingswood and Saint George among his likely rivals.

O’Sullivan said it would have been ideal to reunite with Jaylah Kennedy, but she is still recovering from knee surgery.

“I spoke to her the other day, and it won’t be until January I would say,” O’Sullivan said.

“It’s one of those injuries you can’t come back too soon from. If you fall off, or twist the knee, you go back to where you were, so you have to be right.”