Caulfield trainer Colin Little said Rubijon would most likely press on to the Hobart Cup in the new year.

Little said Rubijon had not had a lot of luck during the spring and deserved to win a race of this type.

He said the son of Rubiton was a big game horse and on this occasion had made his own luck.

The Ballarat Cup triumph also enhanced Rubijon's reputation as a Dowling Forest specialist, with the five-year-old now boasting three wins and a second in five starts at the circuit.

Rubijon ($7 favourite) was given one of the best runs in the cup, with veteran jockey Danny Brereton settling two and three back in the running line, off the fence. He looked like he might be frustrated for a run as the field turned for home, facing a wall of horses.

However, Craig Williams' decision to kick away on leader Lancettier opened up the field and Rubijon comfortably worked his way clear. He charged past Lancettier ($9), which battled on for third behind Upstaged ($9.50).

Rank outsider Charnwood Green produced by far his best effort this campaign to finish fourth in the race for the second year in a row.

Little's decision to engage Brereton enabled the long-time friends an opportunity to continue an association which has spanned more than 20 years.

Brereton, who is now 42 years of age, rode for Little as an apprentice - and over the years has continued to ride for the stable periodically.

Their past successes together include victories with Palos Verdes - the dam of Little's stable star El Segundo - which took out the 1997 Bagot Handicap, 1997 Mornington Cup and 1998 Hobart Cup. Although Brereton had ridden Rubijon earlier in his career, yesterday's engagement had come out of the blue.

Brereton said the Ballarat Cup was right up with the best of his country circuit wins, which had also included the Geelong, Warrnambool and Mornington Cups.

Rubijon is named after his principal owner Jon Garrard, who picked up the horse for the bargain price of $7000 at the William Inglis Yearling Sales.

Garrard said Rubijon was the last lot to go under the hammer.

Garrard, from Watsonia, races Rubijon in partnership with his wife Patricia, Scott Barras, Peter Callipari, Mal Dalgleish, Jeremy and Richard Miller, and Rocco Schirripa.