Joes Star Of Mia narrowly missed out on a place in the main finale after heat results of ninth, sixth and third.

That difficult opening heat proved the difference for a horse who entered the series with immense improvement over his past season.

He makes a start directly behind gate one runner Ellmers Image, trained by daughter Amanda, who looked impressive on his way to a flying fourth place finish last Saturday.

The Group 2 consolation may have a prize pool one tenth the size of the main event but with a $50,000 kitty there’s plenty to race for and a strong field to contend it.

It shapes up as an open betting race, with the Turnbull runners, My Alpha Rock, Im The Boss and Mister Wickham all touted as top winning hopes.

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“They’ve been finding the line well so we’re hoping they’ll give us a good showing,” Turnbull said of the two Bathurst hopes.

“We’ll play it by ear and see how quickly he [Ellmers Image] gets out. If there’s a chance to come off then I will.

“I’ve been happy with them. They haven’t had a lot of luck early, getting too far back, but going over the line they’re coming home as good as anything in their races.”

Turnbull opted not to give his other series contender Conviction a start in the consolation, opting for the Group 3 Free For All earlier in the meeting.

“He could have gone to the Consolation but we would have had three between us, so this gives him a chance of getting some money,” he said.

“It spreads them out a bit instead of having them all in the one race.”

Conviction goes out from 7.33pm with his stablemates to follow at 8pm.