Darwin trainer Stephen Brown is hoping a faultless lead-up has Emboldened ready for his Moonee Valley assignment.

The four-year-old grey gelding will aim to go two better than his first-up third at Flemington when he tackles the $30,000 City of Moonee Valley Celebrating 150 Years Plate (1200m) on Friday night.

Brown was more than pleased with how Emboldened recovered from that eye-catching fresh performance during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

"I'm really happy with how he's come through that run - he's done a treat," Brown said from Melbourne last night.

The international Group 1 winning trainer acknowledges the Rating 78 affair will provide a searching challenge for the emerging prospect, but was heartened following the barrier draw.

"It's not an easy race to win. There's some horses on the up along with a number of seasoned runners," Brown said.

"He's drawn well in barrier five - he should get a good run from there."

Stephen Baster, who has partnered all bar one of Brown's horses in Victoria this time around, will take the ride.

Brown also expressed his delight at breaking his Victorian drought on this trip when Bolton saluted at Moe on Tuesday.

"He did a good job. I didn't think he won, but Steve timed the run to perfection," Brown said.

Bolton is likely to have another run at the provincials before heading to town, while plans are in place for speedster Canali to tackle a 1100m race at Caulfield on December 3.

Brown will also have an eye on tomorrow's Fannie Bay program with four runners entered on the five-race card.

Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News