Makybe Diva's three-quarter sister La Amistad is set to fly the flag solo for Hawkes Racing in Saturday's McKell Cup at Randwick with stablemate Zephyron almost certain to race in Brisbane.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes confirmed a slow track rating in Sydney was swaying them towards starting Zephyron in the Premier's Cup at Doomben where the dead surface would be more to his liking.

"The track's a slow seven at the moment at Randwick, Doomben is a dead four and he doesn't like wet tracks," Hawkes said.

"He will probably head towards Brisbane."

His likely defection will leave La Amistad to represent Hawkes Racing in the McKell Cup (2400m) in which she will chase an important black-type win.

As a close relation to three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, La Amistad's value as a broodmare would be boosted by a Listed victory, the major lure of Saturday's race.

"For this mare to win this race would be outstanding because it increases her value at stud," Hawkes said.

"That's what it's all about, it's about trying to get her on the map because Makybe has already done it whereas this filly has a lot to live up to."

La Amistad has already gone some way towards fulfilling her pedigree potential.

Like her older sister, her forte is distance racing and all of her four wins have been in races of 2100m and further.

The four-year-old earned her spot in Saturday's race with consecutive victories at her past two starts at Echuca and Warwick Farm where she beat her rivals by almost three lengths.

"Obviously this is a tougher race again being stakes grade," Hawkes said.

"It's a natural progression and it's the right race for her at this stage."

James McDonald sticks with the mare and will also ride Hawkes Racing's remaining runners, two-year-old More Than Frank in the opening race and French import Swooning in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m).

Swooning, who makes her Australian debut, adds interest to the program as a Listed placegetter in Europe and unlike the majority of imported gallopers her form is over sprint distances.