Trainer Lloyd Kennewell is convinced the time is right for in-form Adelaide sprinter Heart Of A Lion to be tested in Melbourne.

That opportunity comes in Saturday's Group Three Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield when the rising six-year-old takes on a field which includes reigning Monash winner Lord Of The Sky, who has been runner-up in Group Ones at his past two starts.

"He's been progressing right through the grades here (in Adelaide) and he has a good turn of foot," Kennewell said.

"Basically this was the right option for him at the right time of his career."

A younger half-brother to triple Group One winner Happy Trails, Heart Of A Lion has raced 20 times in South Australia for seven wins including four of his past five.

The gelding has barrier eight of 13 and after a quick study of the field, Kennewell believes Heart Of A Lion is capable of measuring up on Saturday although he is racing at weight-for-age for the first time.

"Weight-for-age at this time of year is not always that strong, being winter, and that's why we earmarked this race," Kennewell said.

"You don't expect to run into something like Lord Of The Sky every day of the week, but we did upset his party last year so we'll try to do it again this year."

Lord Of The Sky won the Monash by 4-1/2 lengths as a three-year-old last year but then finished fourth in the Bletchingly Stakes later that month in the race won by the Kennewell-trained Thiamandi.

Lord Of The Sky has been installed a short-priced favourite but Kennewell believes the Robbie Laing-trained sprinter, who returns from a freshen-up, is beatable.

"We beat him in the Bletchingly (last year), I don't know whether he had an off day but he is a bit hit and miss," he said.

"He hasn't won a race for 12 months so he's there to be beaten, I reckon, from the barrier as well."

Lord Of The Sky has gate 11 and Kennewell expects there to be good speed in the race which he believes will allow Heart Of A Lion to get a good run.

"It should make it for something sitting just off the speed, which would be nice if that is us," he said.