Tony McEvoy isn't sold on an Epsom Handicap start for Mr Chard but his stance could change if the sprinter-miler makes it back-to-back comeback wins at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Mr Chard has been backed into favouritism for the $150,000 Cameron Handicap, a Group Three race in which Slow Pace, Hooked, Vilanova and Spy Decoder will also be trying to enhance their Epsom claims.

A winner of the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury last month, Mr Chard will be having his fourth run for McEvoy after spending almost 18 months out of racing because of a suspensory injury.

His issues were similar to those of Fields Of Omagh, the weight-for-age warrior who won Cox Plates for McEvoy and David Hayes in 2003 and 2006 respectively.

But McEvoy is cautious about Mr Chard returning to racing's elite bracket.

"I'm not sure that he can come back and compete at the Group One level as a seven-year-old," he said.

"I put him in the Epsom dreaming a little bit I suppose, which you've got to do in this business.

"If he came out and won the Cameron impressively, it's a free entry into the Epsom and we'd have to strongly consider it."

McEvoy's jockey-nephew Kerrin McEvoy stays on for the Cameron after lifting the entire across the line to beat Tougher Than Ever and La Amistad at Hawkesbury.

Mr Chard has attracted most of the early Cameron betting support, firming from $4.80 to $4 to take over from Rugged Cross ($4.60) at the top of the market.

Rugged Cross is one of three runners Chris Waller will saddle up in his bid to win the provincial race for the first time.

The premier trainer will also start Vilanova ($5.50) and Danchai, the outsider of the nine-horse field at $18.

Hopes for a Newcastle-trained horse winning the Cameron for the first time since Kris Lees' mare Absolutelyfabulous scored in 2009 will rest with the same stable.

Lees has topweight Slow Pace resuming but in Newcastle's autumn equivalent, the import was first-up from overseas to run an eye-catching minor placing in the Newmarket.