The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is looking to the future by starting Quantum Mechanic in the Ballarat Cup.

Quantum Mechanic is the equal highest-rated runner in Saturday’s 2000m Listed race, with the Chris Waller-trained Yonkers, while it is also her first time at the journey.

After finishing fourth in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 9, Quantum Mechanic finished tenth to Superstorm, beaten just under five lengths, in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 31.

“She wasn’t good enough in the Cantala, but she’s a bit of a wet-tracker and the rain about this week will suit her,” Price said.

“She handles toe in, but I suppose there is a question of the real heavy.

“We’ve never tried her over 2000 metres, but it is in her pedigree although she is by Deep Field.

“She is a big, strong horse and we’ll see if she’s good enough in a Ballarat Cup at this point in her prep, but we’ve got another season with her so we’re going to her a try.”

Quantum Mechanic has registered three of her four career wins over 1600m and Price hopes to squeeze one more run out of her with a view to the future.

“So, we’ve saved her for the 2000 metres and we’ll see how she goes,” Price said.

While Quantum Mechanic shares equal top billing in the handicap ratings, stablemate Fifth Position is at the other end of scale, being number 35 among the 40 horses nominated for the race.

Fifth Position has had five starts in Australia, for three placings, the latest an unlucky second to Djukon at Flemington over 1800m on November 4.

The gelding is also among nominations for the Benchmark 84 race (2000m) on Saturday

“I would like to get ambitious and run him in the Cup, but we’ll have just have to see,” Price said.

The final field, with barrier draw, will be declared on Wednesday.