Devil Moon was in season in last week's Cox Plate, trainer Mark Kavanagh revealed on Friday, but will 'be on the ball tomorrow' in Saturday's Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
The four-year-old mare raced ungenerously in the Cox Plate, swishing her tail in the run before finishing fifth to El Segundo.
"She wasn't happy in the run. It's just hard to say. It was out of character for her," Kavanagh said.
"It's just one of those circumstances that it's quite bizarre for it to happen on Cox Plate day. First hot day of the season just made her a little bit thoughtful of what she could have been doing."
"I was satisfied with the performance and it was a farcically run race. Back to Flemington, a little bit more pace tomorrow she'll go much better."
Devil Moon won the Turnbull over the same course and distance four weeks ago.
While trainer Colin Little has opted not to run El Segundo in the Mackinnon, the race has still attracted a high quality field.
Haradasun was a $3.40 favourite (Sportingbet Australia) on Friday afternoon, ahead of Miss Finland ($4.20) and Devil Moon ($5.50).
Trainer David Hayes has applied the norton bit on Miss Finland, who jockey Craig Williams said had trained on well since running fourth in the Cox Plate, in an attempt to recapture the mare's best form.
Williams said the mare, who will be ridden from behind, would have to storm home down the straight to warrant a Cup start.
"I'll be really disappointed if she doesn't show the true colours of Miss Finland this Saturday," he said.
James Winks, who will ride Caulfield Cup runner-up Douro Valley in both the Mackinnon and the Melbourne Cup, said the six-year-old was a better chance of winning on Saturday despite having never raced at weight-for-age level.
"Only reason I say that is he's probably a query at the two miles and he's a proven 2000m horse," Winks said.
"But he did run fourth in the Turnbull last time most of those horses met so he should be thereabouts. The form followed through to Caulfield so I'm happy to be riding him."
Jockey Corey Brown is looking for an improved showing in the Mackinnon from last year's Melbourne Cup placegetter Maybe Better, who suffered an injury when running ninth in the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago.
"He's definitely got the ability the horse and his joints are right," Brown said. "The track won't be too hard for him and he'll be attacking the line like he normally does."
After toying with the idea of running all three of his Cup aspirants on Derby Day, owner Lloyd Williams will have just Zipping engaged in the Mackinnon.
"He seems to be in good shape. I think the run will top him off nicely for the Cup," said Nick Williams, son of Lloyd.