Via Sistina is an odds-on favourite to overcome five rivals in a bid to add the Makybe Diva Stakes to her burgeoning Group 1 record.
When acceptors were declared on Wednesday, it was left to two-time Makybe Diva winner Mr Brightside, Antino, Tom Kitten, Aeliana and Mark Twain to take up the challenge of beating the reigning Australian Horse of the Year.
Winner of the Group 1 Winx Stakes when resuming in Sydney in August, Via Sistina is an 11th-hour inclusion in the Flemington weight-for-age race.
She has been switched to Melbourne in the absence of fellow Yulong-owned mare Treasurethe Moment, who is recovering from a minor bout of colic.
Via Sistina heads early betting as a $1.95 chance ahead of ATC Australian Derby-winning stablemate Aeliana ($3.70) after they ran the quinella in the Winx Stakes.