Star apprentice Chad Schofield hopes his decision to knock back rides at the Magic Millions meeting will pay dividends when he pilots The Peak in the Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Schofield, who is apprenticed to David Hayes, was given the option of riding Gracious Prospect and The Yowie for Hayes at the Gold Coast, but he opted to stay with a strong book of rides at Flemington.

The Cox Plate-winning apprentice likes the chances of The Peak in the Chester Manifold (1400m), having won on the Cummings-trained gelding at the same track last month.

"I liked his turn of foot late in the race, suggesting he runs out a strong seven furlongs," Schofield said.

"He meets a little bit tougher field on Saturday but he's a nice little horse who I have no doubt is up to them."

The Peak, third favourite at $5.50, is one of four last-start winners in the field of 11, along with Limes, Gig and $3.80 favourite Anlon.

Schofield, in his last season as an apprentice, is aiming to finish in the top three in the Melbourne senior jockeys' premiership.

He is equal fifth with 14 wins, 13 behind pace-setter Damien Oliver, who is riding at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Schofield is also chasing back-to-back wins on the Hayes-trained Backstedt in the Comedy King Handicap (1600m).

Backstedt led all the way for a commanding win over 1720m at Flemington on December 14 and Schofield said he would probably look to ride him the same way again.

"He's a young stayer. He's very tough and tries his absolute best so I'd imagine he'll be hard to beat again," he said.

The Hayes-trained two-year-old Lotion will have winkers off and blinkers added in the Better Beyond Plate (1000m).

Lotion was third in his only start in Adelaide on December 21.

"He did a few things wrong but on Saturday he gets blinkers on and that will just switch him right on," Schofield said.