It has been over 12 months since Crestani last appeared in the winner’s circle, but his trainer Pat Carey believes he can do so at Ballarat.

Crestani runs in the Tonks Plate (1200m) on Saturday and will carry 1.5kg under the minimum following the claim for apprentice Alana Kelly.

The last success for Crestani came in the Dual Choice Plate (1200m) at Geelong in October last year in which the gelding carried 54kg.

He contested the same race last month, finishing third with 58kg, before again running third to Vespertine in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

Carey said Crestani gets into a race where he can feature strongly with a lightweight.

He said the now five-year-old was on the small side and can struggle when up in the weights, while in four of his last six starts, Crestani has competed at stakes level.

“He ran well down the straight last time,” Carey said.

“He comes into this race with the aid of a really good claim and gets in below the minimum.

“He’s only a little pony and he’s only got 51.5 kilos, which you don’t get very often in a handicap race.

“He’s been racing in Listed races of late without a claim and running placings, so on weights and measures, he looks well placed on Saturday.”

Crestani has raced on 28 occasions registering four wins and a further eight placings, and Carey said if the gelding was a little bigger, his record may also be better.

“He’s a consistent little horse, a good little horse, and tries hard,” Carey said.

“He should be suited under these handicap conditions because he’s not out of the handicap this time with his rating.”