Thomsen decided against running his mare Praise Songs against the exclusively-Waller line-up in the Benchmark 88 handicap over 2400 metres but Stanley paid-up for Red Alto as a late entry partly, he says, to take some of the pressure off Waller with his owners.

"Hopefully my horse wins the race and none of his (Waller) other owners have to worry about one of his other horses beating him," Stanley said.

"But seriously, he's in his right race. It's his right rating. It's his right distance. His form is good. He just needs a little bit of luck in running."

"He's run fourth in a (Victoria) Derby and he's won several Saturday metropolitan open company races. He's just is one of those horses that needs everything to go right and he took forever to come right this preparation - to get ready.

"But he's a fit and happy horse at the moment and he's been around that way (clockwise) several times."

Stanley explained that he was fortunate that nominations were extended for the race until Tuesday.

"It was a bit of a mistake actually," he said. "We missed it (nominations deadline), we were meant to be there but we were out and had a hiccup with no service at the time so we were glad they extended them."

As for taking on 11 Waller horses on Saturday, Stanley was matter of fact.

"Only one of his can win and only one of mine can win," he said.

Stanley is also looking forward to the racetrack debut of his Redoute's Choice three-year-old Mig Energy at The Valley on Saturday.

Purchased by Stanley for $350,000 as a yearling, the trainer said Mig Energy has the potential to make it to a good race.

"He's a nice horse," he said. "He's been gelded as he trialled twice as a colt but he wouldn't let go and so he's been gelded since and has had a few nice jumpouts there at Bendigo.

"He's going really nicely. He'll run good on Saturday and then he'll improve from there."

Stanley has his eyes on some of the spring classics with the likes of the promising new three-year-olds in Casadiva and the unbeaten colt The August.

Casadiva, a $1.15 million yearling purchase, won on debut at Bendigo in the autumn before failing in a lead-up race to the Golden Slipper in Sydney when she got her tongue over the bit.

"She had a jumpout yesterday (Tuesday) and she'll trial on Monday at Cranbourne and then on a Thousand Guineas path," he said.

"She's a lovely horse. She'll more than likely run first-up in the Quezette (August 18 at Caulfield) on her way to the Guineas."

The Sutton Grange-based trainer also has his sights on the Caulfield Guineas with his unbeaten I Am Invincible colt The August.

"He's goes towards the Caulfield Guineas," Stanley said. "He's had two starts for two wins and he'll probably kick off the same day as Casadiva in the Vain Stakes."