Horsham Rural City mayor Mark Radford said it was an occasion worthy of putting Horsham on the map.

"You think of all the times the horse will be talked about, and Horsham will be a part of the story," Cr Radford said.

"You might not be a dedicated horse nut, but this race is different. Everyone has an interest and everyone tunes in.

"It's an amazing effort from Paul Preusker and it is very exciting. Regardless of what happens, it is a great achievement."

Cr Radford said a welcome sign declaring Horsham "the home of Surprise Baby" would be the bare minimum if the five-year-old was to win on Tuesday.

"You'd have to imagine all the exciting things and opportunities; a parade down main street, something at the town hall," Cr Radford said.

"We've got a very active racing fraternity, not just in Horsham but in the Wimmera, and it's exciting for everyone involved."

Stawell-based trainer Terry O'Sullivan would know how Preusker is feeling.

Terry and Karina O'Sullivan had Dolphin Joe compete at two Melbourne Cups in 2006 and 2007.

Terry however said Surprise Baby was an even more impressive specimen.

"I think he's the best horse we've ever seen out of this area," Terry said.

"It's a huge effort to get there, especially now with all the internationals in the event.

"We've never had a horse like him in the Wimmera. We've had horses compete in the Adelaide Cup before, but never had a horse win the Adelaide Cup in its sixth start.

"My word it is exciting. I would sincerely hope the region gets behind him."

Horsham District Racing Club president Jason Merlo said it would be a major boost for the region.

"For Paul Preusker to have a runner in the Melbourne Cup which is trained on a local track is fantastic," Mr Merlo said. "Who knows the impact (winning) might have.

"It would be great for country racing, not just for Horsham."

Preusker also praised the advantage of training horses in the country.

"I was in quarantine there for a fortnight at Werribee, working for a horse that had come over, and watching how they train there and the facilities there, I really struggled," Preusker said.

"You get a time slot of an hour, no paddocks, no walking machines or treadmills or swimming pools.

"That ability to get him a variety you're really restricted by.

"The country is good for that. You can go up the road, pop out to the lake, you're ability to cater to what he needs and just keep him busy.

"At this stage, I certainly don't intend on moving."

Preusker said he had received plenty of support from the Wimmera, and hoped his horse could give everyone something to celebrate on Tuesday.

The Wimmera has had several competitors and varying degrees of success in the race that stops a nation.

The first was Brim's Prince Camillo, who raced in the 1965 and 1967 edition of the Melbourne Cup, finishing sixth and fifth respectively.

Horsham-based breeder Warrall "Wogsy" Dunn then had She's Archie surprise everyone in 2003, when it ran second - behind only the immortal Makybe Diva - to claim a $730,000 prize.

Dunn said at the time: "It's just too bad She's Archie couldn't have won the Melbourne Cup - this town would have been on the map for good."

Stawell's Terry and Karina O'Sullivan had Dolphin Joe compete twice, with a fifth-place finish in 2007 the highlight.

One Wimmera resident even rode a winner.

Courtesy of the Stawell Historical Society, the late Ray Neville experienced the ultimate success as a jockey when he rode Rimfire to victory in the 1948 Melbourne Cup.

Neville was just 15 at the time, and was the youngest rider to win the cup and the only apprentice jockey to ever win.

Here's hoping for another miraculous result for the Wimmera with Surprise Baby on Tuesday.

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