Former South Australian turned Victorian  trainer-driver, Scott Ewen will head back to the place it all started for a shot at the state’s top pacing feature.

The Cranbourne based-trainer will prepare veteran pacer, Bulletproof Boy in Saturday night's first heat of the 2024 South Australian Pacing Cup with a view to qualifying for next week’s $60,000 final.

“Ever since I left there (South Australia) and even while I was there, I wanted to win a South Australian Cup,” Ewen said.

“When I was there it was worth a lot more money, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what the money is – it is about the prestige.”

The likes of Smoken Up and Gammalite have all taken out the time-honoured feature.

“It is not only the horses, but the trainers that have won the race, so it would be a prestigious event for the horse and the trainer to win a cup like that,” he said.

Bulletproof Boy has had a worry-free preparation heading into the heats with a win at Geelong two-starts back.

“He has been good and even last week (at Melton) he went super and they went 1.52 (mile rate) up front and he only got beaten by 15m and he did a bit of work to find the front,” he said.

“When he won at Geelong it was an easier field, but he will meet a similar field at Globe Derby tomorrow night.”

The winner of 40 races from 193 starts will have to adapt to the longer 2645m trip.

“Sprint is his go, and he has always been really good over the short, if he gets to the front over the trip he will run on, he could break 1.58 (mile rate) or two minutes, that will be good enough to win the race,” he said.

The travel doesn’t bother the nine-year-old anymore.

“He has done it heaps of time, and it isn’t a problem,” the 55-year-old said.

Ewen and Bulletproof Boy have drawn seven for the $9,999 event.

“He can get a bit fiery and that’s why he sprints good and that’s why I will want to go forward,” he said.

A fleet of Victorians are set to make the trip to Globe Derby for the heats of the Pacing Cup, including trainers Andy Gath, Maryanne Laffan, Paul Parsons, Anthony Butt, Sonya Smith, Aaron Dunn, Sam Barker, Andrew German and Kevin Von Duve alongside drivers Lochie Cook, Kevin Weidenbach, Allan McDonough and Kerryn Manning.

The first heat 2024 South Australian Pacing Cup is set to go at 9.11pm on Saturday night.