Chile Express is backing up after a fourth placing at Flemington last week with trainer Robbie Griffiths hoping a drop in weight will compensate for the lift in grade on Saturday.

The five-year-old will take on the Craftsman Handicap (1720m) at Flemington carrying 54kgs, 1.5kg less than last week, and with Craig Williams taking over from Ryan Maloney.

"It's a seven day back-up but he has come through this week's heat pretty well," said Griffiths.

"He ran well last week, he's down in weight but this is a stronger race."

Griffiths rated the danger horse as Prince of Penzance trained by Darren Weir.

"We'll be in the mix but whether he can beat that horse, we'll have to wait and see," said Griffiths.

In the Birdcage Handicap (1000m) for fillies and mares, Griffiths is represented by Petrova who finished ninth last start at Moonee Valley.

The last outing was in contrast to her run prior when she won a benchmark 64 at Taralgon and the Cranbourne trainer believes if she can replicate that performance, she's a chance at Flemington.

"Forget her last run," said Griffiths.

"She pulled up with the thumps after that but based on her win at Traralgon she's a chance."

He said the one question mark was her lack of experience down the Flemington straight.

"She's never been down the straight so we'll just have to see but to see how she handles it for the first time."

Griffiths has two other runners at Flemington in outsiders Prettyhappyaboutit in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) and Dash For Viz in the Leonard Handicap (1410).

Prettyhappyaboutit has run second down the straight so comes with some experience but is up against a class field while Dash For Viz found the ground too hard last start in the Listed Manifold Stakes last Saturday.