Bec Bartley is hoping for a little bit of help from above as she attempts to win her hometown Shepparton Gold Cup this weekend.

The Goulburn Valley horsewoman is mourning the recent loss of her grandfather John Bartley, who rode all the ups and downs of her career in harness racing before his passing last week.

“You could do no wrong in Pa's eyes. He was the proudest person you could ever get,” the 30-year-old trainer-driver said in an interview with Nikkita Ross.

“He used to go down to the (Shepparton) club and everyone knew who his granddaughters were.

“I have a brother and most people don't know I have a brother, but he always sort of got forgotten about because Pa was just so proud of his girls.

“He had a really good life. I used to ring him all the time going to the races and his last words were always to bring him home a winner, so hopefully we can do that on Saturday night.”

Bartley, along with her training partner Stephen O'Donoghue, have stable stars San Carlo and Western Sonador engaged in the $60,000 Group 2 feature this Saturday night.

San Carlo, as he has in all 66 career starts so far, will be driven by Bartley, while Blake Jones will make the trip down from New South Wales to partner Western Sonador.

David Moran’s star pacer Lochinvar Art will be first-up from a long injury lay-off this Saturday night and is favourite to claim back-to-back wins in the race.

WATCH NIKKITA ROSS' INTERVIEW WITH BARTLEY BELOW:

>> READ MORE: Gate one gifts Gath's pacer his chance to go for Gold

>> READ MORE: Arty's back! Hometown feature to launch the champ's campaign

TUNE IN at SHEPPARTON on Saturday night 

First Race: 6.25pm Last Race: 10.40pm
Racecaller: Lachie McIntosh will be joined by Nikkita Ross, Kirsten Graham and Steve Cleave.
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE 
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE

For tips and speedmaps for all races visit Good Form at thetrots.com.au

Winner of the Week

SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS, by Sweet Lou out of Spirit Of Art, a winner of the Garrards Horse & Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup on January 8.
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
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The good oil from the Vic trials circuit

Shepparton, R4 N1, Ideal Pace
At Melton on January 4, IDEAL PACE trailed the leader (MY LADY NATASHA) early and ended up being three back on the markers mid-race. He came to the outside with 700m remaining, forged to the front before the home turn and was able to skip clear to win nicely. His rivals were closing in late but he wasn’t extended going to the line. REPORT
Shepparton, R7 N1, Tango Tara & R7 N7, Lochinvar Art
The open class trial at Melton on January 4 was only a field of two but it created plenty of interest with the return of champion pacer LOCHINVAR ART, who hasn’t started since securing six victories in succession including the Super Series Final and the Shepparton, Ballarat and Hunter Cups nearly a year ago. He eased in behind the leader TANGO TARA, came to the outside and almost drew level but went to the line with something in reserve. TANGO TARA wasn’t fully extended in his all of the way victory either. He has been very consistent since coming from New Zealand and has been freshened since his win in the Breeders Crown Graduate FFA on November 19. REPORT