The Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes is the preferred weekend option for talented three-year-old Zebulon.

Zebulon is entered for Friday night’s 1600m race as well as the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Sunday but co-trainer Craig Widdison says connections are leaning towards running the horse under lights.

“At this stage it will be Moonee Valley on Friday night,” Widdison said.

Widdison felt the longer distance of the Stutt Stakes and the small nine-horse field would suit Zebulon, who was a fast-finishing third behind Merion and Chivalry over 1400m at Flemington last start.

He meets Chivalry again on Friday night in a race which also features the Melbourne debut of Group One winner Almalad.

Almalad, a last-start fourth in the Golden Rose in Sydney, has displaced Chivalry as favourite after firming from $3.80 to $2.90 with TAB fixed odds.

Chivalry is at $3.20 after opening at $3.40 while Zebulon is on the third line of betting at $4.20.

At his most recent start, Zebulon was a clear last early after it was decided to ride the colt quietly to encourage him to settle.

Widdison admitted they probably overdid it as Zebulon relaxed too well after a slow start.

“He’ll always be a horse that comes from the back but we won’t be that far back in future,” he said.

Zebulon worked well at Moonee Valley on Monday and Widdison said he was convinced the horse had the talent to match it with the likes of Chivalry and Almalad on Friday night as he headed towards the Caulfield Guineas on October 11.

“They’ve all shown promise but we’ve got a good opinion of our bloke and think he’ll be very competitive with them at least,” Widdison said.

Stablemate Eloping is favourite for the Group Three Champagne Stakes (1200m).

Eloping finished third behind Angelic Light and Lankan Rupee in the weight-for-age McEwen Stakes first-up.

“Back against three-year-old fillies, we think that’s her right grade and think she’ll be hard to beat,” Widdison said.