A busy hometown Ararat Cup night could provide Michael Bellman with some timely impetus as he nears a milestone 2000 career wins in the sulky.

One of the state's most successful freelance reinsmen, Bellman currently sits on 1995 wins and has six drives on the eight race program.

Bellman takes the reins behind the in form Ash Warton trained Auckland Red ($9) in what appears an open cup where pre-race betting has the Isabel Walsh trained Dawson a $4 favorite.

Bellman is relying on early race good fortune with Auckland Red who comes out of barrier four.

"It's a bit of a tricky draw because there is speed on our inside so hopefully, we can slot in without having to do too much work," Bellman said.

Bellman said the innovative cup heats (conducted at Bendigo, Cranbourne and Stawell) and final style programming has made for a race with many chances.

"There appears to be at least six good winning chances so luck in running will play a big role in the outcome," he said.

Bellman is hoping to complete a family hat trick of Ararat Cup successes having won it in 2011 with Mister Rhys while his mother D'Arne combined with Impulsive Boy to take out the Cup in 1993.

Bellman's confidence levels of saluting in the Ararat Trotters Cup have risen after his mare Jazspur finished fourth behind Queen Elida in the Group 3 Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed For Speed Final at Melton on Saturday night.

"She made up good ground over the last 400 metres on Saturday night and I think we've got her back to her best," he said.

The winner of the Group 3 SA Trotters Cup in October, Jazspur is likely to make light work of her 30 metre handicap according to Bellman.

"She flies the tapes so she should make up her handicap early in the race and the 2570 metres should sort out some of the front markers if they run along," he said.

The best of Bellman's remaining drives appears to be Blackrange Glory who has won four of his past five starts and is a $2.30 favorite in the Hull Plumbing Trot.