Trainer Clinton McDonald says his no-frills gelding Finishing Card gets the opportunity for an upset win on his home course in the Listed John Dillon Stakes on Saturday.

The 1400m race at Caulfield is just the second stakes race in which the seven-year-old has competed in a career that kicked off in June 2009.

But he's running on his home track with little weight (54kg) on his back and over a distance where he has won before.

"He's not that great a horse and against better opposition he's not really up to them, but I don't think this is a vintage race at all," said McDonald.

Finishing Card's third place finishes in his past two races at Flemington and Caulfield give some encouragement to McDonald that he can spring a surprise.

"If a couple of those big horses like Chase The Rainbow fire, then they are better horses, but my boy is fit and well with no injuries and he's racing on his home track," he said.

"There's no real up-and-coming progressive horse that's going to blow him away."

He admits that he and the owners are just trying to win as much prizemoney with Finishing Card as they can with no big plans for his future.

"The owners really enjoy racing him because he gives them a good run for their money," he said.

"He's a good solid Saturday-class horse that races well this time of year on a good track.

"I'd say he's a no-frills blue collar worker."

Finishing Card has up-and-coming jockey Chad Schofield aboard and McDonald has big wraps on the apprentice.

"He's terrific rider and the next Glen Boss/Damien Oliver who's going to come through the ranks," he said.

Finishing Card is fifth in the line of betting at $13 behind favourite Anlon ($3.40) with Limes second at $3.60.