After a frustrating spring, Highvol will chase back-to-back wins when he runs at Sandown.
Trainer Nick Ryan is likely to resist the temptation of a trip to Brisbane with Highvol to concentrate on building the three-year-old's bank balance.
Highvol registered the third win of his career when successful at Caulfield last start and will look to add to that tally in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Ryan had planned a Queensland trip with Highvol 12 months ago after the then two-year-old had won his first two starts, but that was abandoned after the gelding fell ill just days after his win at Flemington in May last year.
Highvol had a frustrating spring campaign, finishing second in the Geelong Classic (2200m) in the lead up to the Victoria Derby and Ryan said it was good to see Highvol back in winning form at Caulfield on May 9.
"He was very good the other day," Ryan said.
"He's got to carry 60 kilos on Saturday, but he's the best horse in the race, by the looks of it, and the mile is good.
"He had a frustrating spring. Ran well in the Geelong Classic, was unlucky in the Stutt Stakes and then ran in the Derby, so it was good to get him back.
"He got very sick after his good two-year-old days, so he did a good job to get up for the spring and that's why I skipped the autumn with him and have come back now to try and win some prize money with him."
Ryan said Highvol was not in contention for a Queensland Derby start next Saturday, adding there was no other suitable feature races for the gelding in Brisbane.
For that reason, Ryan said Highvol was likely to remain in Melbourne to contest the Mahogany Challenge Series over the coming weeks.
Highvol won the opening heat on May 9, and Saturday's race forms a part of the series.
"He's not a Derby horse and the prize money is just as good here, unless I wanted to give him a run up there and then spell him in the warmer weather," Ryan said.
"That will be a conversation to have with the owners after Saturday."
Ryan will also produce Winnasedge in the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1000m) who is first-up since June last year.
Winnasedge was ready to run during the spring but required some minor knee surgery to remove a little chip.
"He's come back super. His three trials have been really good," Ryan said.
"He's done enough to run well, but he's certainly going to improve off it."
