Daniel Stackhouse only has one ride at Flemington on Saturday but is convinced he can capture the feature race with Ancient King.

Stackhouse partnered the Peter Moody-trained import to a determined last-start win over 2800m at Flemington and has no concerns with the gelding stepping up to the Melbourne Cup distance of 3200m in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes.

Ancient King, an Italian Derby minor placegetter last year, has been installed the $3.60 favourite ahead of Shoreham at $4 after the pair staged a battle over the final 200m last start on May 10 with Ancient King winning by a head.

"I think the 3200 metres will be no problem for him," Stackhouse said.

"It's basically the same field he has met his last couple of runs and as long as we get a good run he'll try his heart out.

"I think he's a very good chance."

Stackhouse was taken by Ancient King's will to win at Flemington when the import posted his first Australian win in his fourth start for Moody.

"I thought Shoreham was going to go past me and I think he did actually put his head in front but my bloke toughed it out and came back again. I was pretty impressed with him," the jockey said.

"He's not a very big horse but he's got a lot of fight in him."

Stackhouse has not ridden Ancient King in work since his recent victory but said the four-year-old had continued to please in the lead-up to the off-season staying feature.

"Jason Benbow galloped him on Tuesday and he worked pretty well," he said.

"I'm pretty confident with him going into Saturday."

Last year's winner Unchain My Heart is back to defend her title while the Nigel Blackiston-trained import Ominous shoots for his third-straight win after victories in Adelaide including the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m).

Veteran stayer Gotta Take Care, who won over 2600m at Flemington two starts ago with Ancient King a close third, reverts to the flat after winning the Galleywood Hurdle last start.