By The Grace will be out to press his claims for one of Melbourne's off-season features when he runs at Flemington.

The Andrew Noblet-trained gelding is on a path to the Listed Winter Championship Final on July 9 and will be trying to win the seventh heat of the series over 1400m on Saturday.

"This is his best time of the year," Noblet said.

"We gave him a preparation during summer without racing him and then turned him out again and got him ready for the winter tracks.

"A bit of give in the ground suits him and I couldn't be happier with the way he's come back."

By The Grace was unplaced when he resumed in the Listed Straight Six over an unsuitable 1200m before finishing third to Jacquinot Bay over 1400m last start.

Jacquinot Bay and runner-up Del Prado are again among By The Grace's rivals on Saturday in a field of eight runners.

"I've been very happy with both his runs," Noblet said.

"First-up was good enough and the other day I thought he ran really well. He was off the track most of the way and finished not far off the winner.

"I'm happy with the way he's going and he'll have this run and then go to the Final over 1600 metres."

By The Grace ran well in last year's Listed Winter Championship Final won by Amovatio when sixth in a bunched finish.

Noblet said the forecast for rain ahead of Saturday would be in By The Grace's favour.

Del Prado is the $3.20 favourite ahead of Jacquinot Bay ($4.40) and By The Grace ($4.80).