McDonald has entered the seasoned Flying Agent and Once Were Lost, while Dwyer is considering starts for Riding High and The Dominator.

The classic has attracted 13 nominations for the all-jumps day, which will feature six races.

When it comes to the fences, Flying Agent has the writing on the wall for McDonald.

The nine-year-old won the time-honoured Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool in May and at his latest visit to the races was third in the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown Lakeside - a great audition for this assignment on a track where he is well performed.

Flying Agent has had three jumps races at Sportsbet Ballarat, for two hurdle wins and a third in a maiden steeplechase.

Once Were Lost is well travelled, having started his career in Western Australia and also spending time in New South Wales.

He is in his first preparation with McDonald and had just the two steeple starts for a second at Murray Bridge and third at Sale.

Dwyer has already tasted big success with the NZ-bred Riding High, with the eight-year-old taking out the Australian Steeplechase at Sandown Lakeside and then scoring in the Great Western Steeplechase at Coleraine.

The Dominator has also been impressive, winning the Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool and then being placed at Pakenham and Coleraine before a last-start fifth on the flat at Swan Hill.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace also potentially have big hand in the meeting with Mawaany Machine nominated for the Grand National, and the quartet of Light Pillar, Norway, Roland Garros and Saunter Boy in the JJ Houlahan Hurdle, 3200m.

Weights will declared on Wednesday for the meeting and acceptances finalised on Thursday.

The track is rated a heavy8, with the rail to be in the true position for the entire circuit.

Unfortunately for Ballarat Turf Club will be run without racegoers owing to the Victorian statewide COPVOID-19 lockdown.

The Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott-trained Social Element looms as the likely favourite.