With the Warragul Cup safely in the bag and boasting the favourite in Saturday’s Cranbourne Cup, Glenn Rounds will take aim at another provincial feature when two exciting youngsters tackle tonight’s Listed Western Districts Derby (450m) heats at Ballarat.

Despite having only had a handful of starts, lightly-raced youngsters Limiting (heat 1, box 1) and Aston Rupee (heat 2, box 8) are both favourite for their respective run-offs.

Limiting ($3.60), a son of former Ballarat record-holder Over Limit, has won three of his five starts and will be facing the likes of Group 1 Silver Chief finalist Aussie Secret.

Aston Rupee ($2.70), whose mother Aston Miley is a litter sister to boom sire and Melbourne Cup winner Aston Dee Bee, has won two from three, the most recent a sizzling 29.25s Sandown success.

“They’re fast young animals and they’ve drawn pretty well too,” Rounds said.

“It might be a bit ahead of their time but I’ve got no hesitation throwing them in and we’ll see how they go.

“They both go very well but Aston Rupee looks to be a cracking box dog, which makes the job a bit easier.”

There’s enormous depth in the four Derby heats, with the third run-off featuring a clash between Jason Thompson’s course record holder Pirate Pete and Lynette Gough’s Silver Lake, the winner of four from five, highlighted by a blistering 29.14s Sandown effort.

Dave Geall’s Ferdinand Boy, flying last start winner of the Lightning Frank Derby Final at Warrnambool, will meet another classy Thompson contender in Mr America, unbeaten in four appearances at Ballarat, in the final qualifier.

Tonight’s meeting will also feature three heats of the Lil Dickie Oaks.