Cardigan trainer Emma Stewart had been looking to be a support role to partner Clayton Tonkin in the group 1 $300,000 Victoria Cup at Melton on Saturday night.
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Tonkin was all set to play major hand with Ride High, but he was ruled out on Monday with a leg injury.
This leaves Stewart to fly the flag with three runners.
Stewart is pursuing an elusive first win in Victoria's most prestigious race with Code Black, Tam Major and Hurricane Harley. She also has emergency Major Times.
Code Black and Tam Major are returning to the big stage, having each been unplaced in the race last year,
A last-start Bendigo winner, Hurricane Harley is facing his biggest test as Stewart takes on the might of New South Wales trainer Craig Cross.
Cross has five starters, including last year's Victoria Cup winner Bling It On, and remarkably each has drawn the front row.
This is in contrast to Stewart's quartet, which each drew a second row barrier for the 2240m assignment.
All Stewart's representatives are early in their campaigns.
A country cups specialist earlier in this extended season, Code Black has raced twice since a long break. He returned with a third to Hurricane Harley at Bendigo and was again third to Rishi at Melton on Saturday.
Tam Major worked home for second to Lochinvar Art at Melton in his first run back since January.
Hurricane Harley is having his third start this preparation, following a fourth to Reactor Now at Shepparton and a sizzling win in 1:52.3 at Bendigo.