He's ready to prove the doubters wrong.

The competition for the $100,000 final is certainly fierce this year, with other heat winners Lochinvar Chief, Tasty Delight, Ideal Dan and Idyllic all recording fast times, but Kashed Up has been a horse constantly on the improve.

Rated currently as a $41 chance, Kashed Up may have won one of the slower heats of his meeting but the For A Reason gelding wasn't asked to give it his all in what was a very encouraging performance.

Hewitt said it would be a tough task in the final but if her young runner continues on his upward trajectory he'd be in with a chance.

"I think he's a decent shot but those horses that do have the favouritism are very nice horses as well, and their won their heats quite impressively," she said.

"He probably is a little underrated at this stage. He's won two of his three races and the other night he still had a lot left in him. It was an easier heat but he ran very well."

Reaching the final is all the more impressive knowing how much effort went into getting Kashed Up on the right track.

"He had a bit of a rough period from December through January where he fibrillated and had to have some time off and when he came back he was doing a lot of things wrong.

"It was at his qualifying trial where he started putting it all together and he hasn't looked back."

Kashed up has drawn decently for the final, in gate four, but has Lochinvar Chief and Ideal Dan to her inside.

The gate should allow Kashed Up to sit midfield at worst when the field settles and he'll have the chance to be right in the mix.

"The horse has shown a lot of talent but these horses that come from interstate are strong," Hewitt said.

"It's a big thrill to be a part of it, and knowing you've made that top 10 is a nice feeling."

The other Bathurst-trained hope in the race is Chris Frisby's He Aint Fakin, who has to contend with a challenging back row start.

Frisby's Art Major colt made a great case for himself when he put up a brave pursuit of Lochinvar Chief during his crown heat.

He Aint Fakin (nine metres) was the only horse remotely close to Lochinvar Chief, who will likely run favourite for the final.