Trainer David Hayes has issued a warning to punters to dismiss Ballarat Cup contender Motivado at their peril.

Motivado, a $14 chance for Saturday's 2200m race, may look out of form but Hayes said there were genuine excuses for his last-start flop at Flemington on November 8 when he finished last, 33 lengths from the winner Held Hostage.

"Just forget he went around," Hayes said.

"It was a rock hard track and he pulled his front shoes off and just didn't hit out on that track."

Hayes said the gelding had little luck first-up in the 1600m Seymour Cup on October 19, when seventh, three lengths behind the winner Bel Thor.

Motivado was bought as a potential Melbourne Cup horse but to date in Australia has failed to live up to the promise he showed in the UK, although he did win the Group Three Queen's Cup at Morphettville in May 2013.

Before coming to Australia, Motivado ran in the Ebor at York in August 2012, finishing fourth behind Willing Foe and Royal Diamond who contested this year's Melbourne Cup.

Hayes said Motivado was a difficult horse to train.

"He's a highly strung horse and very difficult but we're slowly winning the battle with him," Hayes said.

"You have to ride him like you're not trying and look for inside runs.

"I'm hoping he might be an Adelaide Cup horse next year but we'll probably keep him in work, space his races and might produce him around Christmas time in a race like the Bagot."

The Bagot Handicap (2800m) is at Flemington on New Year's Day with the Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville in March.

Motivado contested the Adelaide Cup earlier this year but failed to finish and was immediately spelled.