Tomorrow night's Moonee Valley meeting provides an important stepping stone to the $50,000 Decron Hoof Care Cranbourne Cup on Saturday week, December 3.
An array of horses in the SEW-Eurodrive Free-For-All and AFL Life Members Pace have aspirations of securing a berth in the Group 2 event with a forward showing tomorrow.
Adding further incentive to their bid is the bonus of a guaranteed start in next month's $325,000 SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup for the Cranbourne Cup winner.
The $15,000 Free-For-All headlines a nine race Moonee Valley program and will feature the return bout between rejuvenated veteran Franco Heir and Sting Lika Bee (pictured).
The Ballarat-trained pair fought out a stirring battle in the MHRC Classic a fortnight ago with Franco Heir finally prevailing at his first run for the Emma Stewart stable.
The nine-year-old former Derby winner is the $4.20 pre-post favourite from gate six in what looks an open 2100-metre mobile start feature.
To turn the tables Sting Lika Bee ($5) must overcome the extreme second line draw of 11, but last year's Victoria Cup placegetter has the class and versatility to do so.
In a field of terrific depth others tipped to figure prominently are Melton Plater winner Tactical Dreamer (gate two, $5), Australian Mare of the Year Innocent Eyes (three, $5), recent Bankstown Cup winner Our Braham Boy (five, $6) and Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup runner-up Tromos (10, $7).
The Lance Justice-trained Tactical Dreamer looms as a pivotal player returning to a front line draw, whilst all eyes will be on dual Group 1 winning mare Innocent Eyes who has yet to register a win in four starts this campaign.
Like the Free-For-All, the $15,000 AFL Life Members Pace looks an enthralling contest with a hot field of M2-M3 pacers clashing over the flying mile.
The two pacers under the brightest spotlight have drawn the second line with $3.40 favourite Courtygaz in gate nine and $4.50 second elect B H Cullen in gate 10.
Former Breeders Crown runner-up Courtygaz, a last start Kilmore winner at his second run for the Chris Alford stable, makes his Moonee Valley return after overcoming a bout of the often deadly disease Colitis-X earlier this year.
B H Cullen is first-up since winning the Campbells Cash & Carry Legends Mile at Moonee Valley earlier this month in a brilliant 1:55.1 and was considered unlucky by some not to secure an invite to contest tonight's Miracle Mile.