Morning Captain drawing the outside alley in Saturday's Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben is a familiar scenario for trainer Kelly Doughty.

"I'm used to drawing the outside barrier in feature races so I wasn't surprised but you've just got to deal with it," Doughty said.

"In pressure races it makes it a fraction harder but there looks plenty of speed with Audacious Spirit in the race so hopefully we can come across with him."

Morning Captain has an impressive record at the 1350m circuit at Doomben where he has won two of his three starts.

"It's probably his pet distance and Doomben suits him better than a couple of other horses in the race so hopefully we can get the better of them this week," Doughty said.

The four-year-old impressed Doughty with his determination when he finished a close third to Startsmeup in the George Moore Stakes at Eagle Farm on December 8 when less than half a length separated the first four placegetters.

"It took him a couple of strides to really get going but once he levelled out he finished it off strongly and there wasn't much in it at the finish," she said.

After the Lough Neagh, Doughty plans to start Morning Captain in the Goldmarket at the Gold Coast on January 1 followed by the Summer Cup (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast before he spells.

Doughty is upbeat about the chances of lightly-raced filly Veralini who is aiming for a hat-trick of wins at the meeting.

"From day one she's always shown staying ability and even though this is her first preparation she's done everything right," Doughty said.

Veralini is likely to be spelled after Saturday's assignment before being aimed at a Queensland Oaks preparation during the winter.

One of Veralini's rivals, Excellent Al, has recovered from a torrid run when he finished seventh against older rivals at Eagle Farm on December 8, according to trainer Len Treloar.

Jockey Larry Cassidy will have firm instructions from Treloar to ride Excellent Al quietly, in contrast to his last start when he was caught wide in the middle stages contesting the lead.