Group One racing may be a bit ambitious for Kelinni this spring but he will be given his chance if he can win at Rosehill on Saturday.
The emerging stayer runs in the Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) with trainer Chris Waller saying it could be his last start this preparation unless he convinces him otherwise.
Kelinni was one of seven original entries for the Group Three race with Strawberry Boy added as a late nomination.
One of Waller's contingent of European stayers, Kelinni has won five races in Australia over the past 12 months and finished a close fourth in the Wyong Cup (2100m) at his first attempt at Listed company.
"He is coming to the end of his preparation," Waller said.
"But if he won the Colin Stephen, and won impressively, we would have to think about giving him a go in the Metropolitan."
Glyn Schofield, who has two seconds and two wins on Kelinni this preparation, will be back aboard on Saturday after missing the Wyong Cup through suspension.
Waller will have a comparatively light Saturday at Rosehill with Red Tracer nominated against More Joyous in the Golden Pendant and Catkins and Here De Princess entered for the Reginald Allen Quality (1200m).
Both fillies are owned by the Ingham family with Here De Princess the winner of her only two starts.
Away from the stakes races on the program, Waller could have three runners in the 1300m Benchmark 85 - Velrosso, Key West and Queensland Oaks runner-up Eliza Blues.
The winner of two races earlier this year, Eliza Blues was at $61 in the Group One Oaks and made a lot of ground late at her first experience of a heavy (10) track to finish 2-1/4 lengths behind Quintessential.