Apprentice Sophie Young has been handed a great opportunity to land an important country win when she partners the Sue Grills-trained Border Rebel in Thursday's John Carlton Cup at Grafton.

Young, apprenticed to Grills, is the seven-year-old's regular track rider.

"Sophie knows Border Rebel backwards. She rides him all the time," Grills said.

"It's a good chance for her to ride him in a decent race."

The Tamworth-based Grills, a regular visitor to the Grafton July carnival, is chasing her second John Carlton Cup after Ollie Vollie scored in 2010.

The race is a major lead-up to next Wednesday's Listed Ramornie Handicap.

Grills will also saddle-up Usain Prince in the John Carlton Cup with Timothy Bell to ride.

Border Rebel is the class runner of the field but has paid the price with 62kg.

"The horse has got a ton of weight," Grills said.

"He's a tiny horse with a massive weight, that's the problem."

She is also concerned the gelding missed an important lead-up when the bulk of the June 22 meeting at Randwick was washed out.

"I would have preferred to go straight into the Ramornie," Grills said.

"Now I've virtually got to start him in the John Carlton to have him fit enough for the Ramornie."

Border Rebel has had one previous attempt at the Ramornie finishing sixth to Pinwheel in 2010.

Grills said the evergreen gelding, who has suffered foot problems throughout his career, is racing pain-free this campaign.

"This campaign he's got back to his old form," Grills said.

"He's over all his problems, really good in himself. It makes a difference."