Scratchings will have a major bearing on which race promising galloper Scream Machine contests at Rosehill on Saturday.

Scream Machine is entered for a 2000m race but is also an emergency for the feature event on the program, the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m).

"The decision is probably going to be made for us but if he happened to be allowed a start (in the Festival) we'd definitely have to have a quick look at it," trainer Jason Coyle said.

"The plan was always to try to go to the Festival but it looks a very strong race on paper and we haven't got a start yet."

Scream Machine has already raced over 2000m this campaign before dropping back in distance in his past two outings, including a close second in the Goulburn Cup (1600m) last time out.

It's that versatility which has Coyle confident the galloper's preparation for Saturday will no affect his Rosehill chances.

"Ideally in the back of my mind I had him dropping back in distance to races around a mile but he's a very naturally fit horse and has had five runs this preparation," Coyle said.

"To be honest it wouldn't bother me.

"He's already shown his versatility by going up to 10 furlongs (2000m) early in his preparation and then coming back and almost winning the Goulburn Cup at a mile."

Coyle believes Scream Machine, who has won and placed in his only two starts over 2000m at Rosehill, will make his presence felt in the Blackwoods Uvex Safety Handicap against Cantonese and Lucripetous.

"I think he would have to be a leading chance in that race," Coyle said.

"The horse can go a bit keen in his races at the moment but hopefully with a couple more natural leaders in the race we can get a nice sit off them and then he can fall asleep in the run. If we can get cover I think he'll be pretty hard to beat."

Coyle said he would see how Scream Machine performed on Saturday before deciding on his next assignment but the Group Two Villiers (1600m) on December 22 is "definitely an option".