The barrier draw for Friday night’s Group 2 Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup has orchestrated a likely scenario that is sure to have harness racing purists salivating.

Act Now ($3.50), one of the slickest beginners in the state, has drawn the coveted pole position while the $2.60 favorite and defending champion Rock N Roll Doo will start from outside the front row.

And Better Eclipse ($4.20), a sit-sprint specialist, will trail Act Now through from an inside second row position and is poised to enjoy a cosy run on the leader's back before making full use of the lane in the home straight.

Rock N Roll Doo's trainer Michael Stanley was philosophical after the fall of the marbles earlier in the week.

"It is what it is and I'm probably going to end up outside the leader Act Now with Better Eclipse on our backs getting its chance along the sprint lane," Stanley said.

Stanley conceded the allocation of barriers has ensured an intriguing contest between the three Grand Circuit stars.

"It's going to be a great race," he said.

Stanley is determined to turn the 2690m Cup into a survival of the fittest.

"I'm on the best stayer in the race so I'll be out to make it a true staying test, but I'm also conscious that it could make my horse vulnerable late to a horse like Better Eclipse," he said.

The Kilmore Cup will be Rock N Roll Doo's final race day hit-out prior to defending his title in the Group 1 Pryde's EasiFeed Victoria Cup in a fortnight.

"The race is another building block for his Victoria Cup campaign and I'll be driving him a bit more confidently," he said.

Stanley couldn't be happier with his pacer's pathway to this year's Vic Cup.

"Last year he had four runs leading into the Victoria Cup with two weeks between each run, and this year is the same and he's got a little bit fitter with each run," he said.

"But there will still be room for improvement going forward with the Inter Dominion in mind in a couple of months' time."

Similarly, the Kilmore Trotters Cup appears a race in three between the Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar-trained pair Ollivici ($2.20 fav) and Bullion Harry ($3.30) who do battle with the in-form One Over All ($2.70).

The winners of the cups each receive a golden ticket into this year's Inter Dominion series in Brisbane.