Mark Kavanagh can see no reason why he shouldn't back up Maldivian in Saturday's Underwood Stakes at Caulfield despite his torrid run on Saturday.

The 2007 Yalumba Stakes winner was sent out at odds-on in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

But in a high-pressure affair, he wound up a close fourth behind 30-1 shot Guillotine after hitting the front on the home turn.

"He ran exceptionally well," said Kavanagh who was a lot more composed today than he was after Saturday's race.

"It was probably his best run this preparation and he's finished out of a place, so it was a tough day at the office."

The trainer said he had no qualms about the back-up into the Underwood (1800m) for what will be his third clash so far this preparation with reigning Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler who is set to start a short-priced favourite.

"I'm pretty happy with him. Both he and Devil Moon (second after a wide run to Tuesday Joy in the Stocks Stakes) have pulled up excellent."

Maldivian was a half-head behind Weekend Hussler when the pair were placed behind Underwood rival Light Fantastic in the Liston Stakes (1400m) and then he was runner-up by a long-neck to Weekend Hussler in the Memsie Stakes (1400m), both at Caulfield last month.

The two times Kavanagh had backed up the Zabeel gelding within six or seven days he has won the 20007 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield and the JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate favourite Weekend Hussler, who faces his first test at a trip further than 1600m, has done well since his impressive victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday week.

Trainer Ross McDonald will give him a strong work-out on the course proper at Caulfield in the morning.

Among the 19 Underwood nominations are Makybe Diva placegetters Zarita and Littorio and Light Fantastic who was beaten for the first time in six starts when fourth in that event.

Craig Newitt will return from a careless riding suspension to ride Light Fantastic while Steven Arnold will ride Pompeii Ruler for the first time in the Underwood replacing Danny Nikolic who was aboard him when he finished a disappointing 12th in the Dato Tan Chin Nam.

Other entries include Queensland Oaks and Derby winner Riva San, Brisbane Cup winner Viewed and Emirates Stakes winner Tears I Cry who finished third in the Dato Tan Chin Nam.

Danny O'Brien will start reigning Caulfield cup winner Master O'Reilly and runner-up Douro Valley, with Gallopin and Lords Ransom likely to go for the Naturalism Stakes (2000m).

The John Sadler trained C'est La Guerre, the New Zealand Derby winner, is nominated in both the Underwood and the Naturalism as is the Lou Luciani-trained Guyno.

David Hayes will start Kibbutz, Indio Glorioso and The Fuzz in the Underwood with Zagreb to tackle the Naturalism.