In-form sprinter Riziz should have conditions to suit in his bid to upstage three Group One winners in Saturday's Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.

The multiple Listed-winning sprinter is favourite to take out Melbourne's first Group race of the season despite the presence of Group One winners Luckygray, Temple Of Boom and Ferlax in the 1200m race.

The Flemington track was upgraded from slow to dead on Thursday afternoon but there is more rain predicted on Friday.

Trainer Ken Sweeney said Riziz was at his best with the sting out of the ground, but he was respectful of the proven performers.

"They are pretty tough horses, the top two or three," Sweeney said.

"I hope he's as good as them but you don't know until you run against them.

"He likes the sting out of the ground. That's one of his fortes."

Riziz won the Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington last year and was successful in his only other appearance at the famous track, taking out the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final five weeks ago.

Sweeney said the time between runs had been ideal.

"He's going as good as when he won the final last start, it's just whether he takes the next step to Group Three company," he said.

"I'm hoping he does."

Riziz, a four-time Listed winner, has won five from six starts on dead ground and his only start in slow going.

"He's won on slow before. That would suit him, but I don't know if he would be any good on the heavy because he does have a turn of foot."

While Riziz is yet to win at Group level, he was only beaten two lengths when seventh in the Group One Goodwood in Adelaide earlier this year.

"And he probably should have finished second," the trainer said.

Riziz is $3.50 favourite ahead of last year's Galaxy winner Temple Of Boom.

Temple Of Boom, who won the Aurie's Star in 2011, is also a proven Flemington horse and is at his best on wet ground.

Luckygray, who'll be having his first start for the Robert Smerdon stable, is next in the market at $5.

Smerdon said Luckygray was in good shape but had improvement in him.

"I'm not quite sure what to expect of him, it's our first preparation with him," Smerdon said.

"I guess those middle distance horses can sprint well fresh but he will improve off the run."