At $8 in TAB’s market on Saturday night’s Group 2 Ballarat Cup (450m), Topgun winner and Melbourne Cup finalist Get It Gizmo is shaping as the forgotten dog.

Get It Gizmo has only missed a place once in his last 14 starts, when seventh to fellow Ballarat Cup finalist Whiskey Riot in the Melbourne Cup; however owner/trainer/breeder Harry Manolitsis says his generous price is a matter of horses for courses.

“He’s probably the right price in this sort of race,” said Manolitsis.

“It’s fair enough because he’s more of a 500m-plus dog and up against the speedier true 450m dogs it’s hard for him.”

Get It Gizmo started $1.90 favourite from box five in the last of four Cup heats held last Saturday but after beginning well he was shuffled back to second last in a roughhouse affair before charging home to be narrowly beaten by $34 outsider Almapa Berisha.

“He came out with them but then got turned sideways after 40 or 50 metres,” Manolitsis explained.

“He got going again but then he was lucky not to come down when there was bad interference on the turn – I think he jumped over another dog. He’s very strong, as we know, and he finished very well.”

After exiting box five in the heat, Get It Gizmo has again drawn awkwardly in six, with his main rivals, La Grand Quality and Whiskey Riot, in boxes four and seven respectively, with Manolitsis believing the Cup is shaping as a leader’s race.

“It’s a race where I think whoever leads will win,” Manolitsis offered.

“Get It Gizmo would break 25 seconds on his own handsomely but against a field like this I’ll be hoping he can swoop late and if there’s any trouble in front he’s a chance to finish over the top.

“As I said, these horseshoe county cups aren’t ideal for him but we’re very happy to be in the final. He’s a young dog and he keeps making one group race after another so he’s doing everything we could ask for.”