More than a decade ago, Tony Rosolini had a quality jumper that attracted the attention of overseas interests.

Now a close relative of that horse will take Rosolini to Ballarat on Sunday for the 3400m Australian Steeplechase.

High-profile Irish owner J P McManus bought Rosolini's eight-time hurdle winner Specular and took him to the northern hemisphere where he won two steeplechases for trainer Jonjo O'Neill and the recently retired riding legend A P McCoy.

At the 2011 yearling sales, Rosolini was flicking through the catalogue when he came across a colt from a half-sister to Specular and he decided to take a $7000 punt on the youngster.

That colt is now Undergroundfighter who won his steeplechasing debut at Warrnambool in March and will take on the big guns at Ballarat on Sunday.

"He might be the slowest one I've had as a jumper but he's the best one I've put over the jumps," Rosolini said.

After winning his `chasing debut at Warrnambool, Rosolini made the mistake of taking him to Oakbank for the Great Eastern, which he said was too far for a young horse.

Undergroundfighter fell at Warrnambool at his last start which took Rosolini by surprise.

"The horse in front of him was off balance when he jumped which caused my horse to be unbalanced," Rosolini said.

"I was really surprised to see him go down but when I looked at the replay and spoke to the jockey I could see why it happened."

Rosolini said Undergroundfighter suffered no ill effects and would school at Cranbourne on Thursday as a final hit-out for Sunday.

Stablemate Zuhayr runs in the Australian Hurdle on the same program and has the credentials to perform well after a narrow defeat in the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool on May 6.

In four runs this jumping season, Zuhayr has two wins and two narrow seconds to his credit.

Zuhayr runs on the flat over 2200m on the Pakenham Polytrack on Tuesday after which he will jump a few hurdles on Friday and Saturday to sharpen his mind for Sunday's race.