Trainer-driver Kyle Marshall is hoping stable star Son Of Mac can launch his path to Queensland in style tomorrow night at Victorian harness racing headquarters.

The four-year-old steps out from barrier 10 in race five at Melton, the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace.

Son Of Mac was last year's Northern Derby runner-up behind Merlin at Auckland. Following that, the star juvenile moved to Australia with now Cranbourne-based Marshall where he won four of five starts before going for a long break in August.

Although talented, this race will be a challenge for the son of American Ideal after his nine-month break.

"There are a couple of horses in the field that look to be on their way up. As the race is over the short distance and he's first-up with a second-row draw, he will be driven for one run at them. He will improve more from this run," Marshall said.

The field consists of last-start winners Young Bluey (seven) and Keayang Tokyo (three), as well as classy mare Shanlou (four).

The former New Zealand-based trainer has his eyes set on the winter carnival in Queensland, but Son Of Mac will likely race a few more times in Victoria before heading to the Sunshine State.

"We will judge when he heads to Queensland by his races. The main goal is to get him fit and hopefully show his class to guarantee a start in The Rising Sun and go from there," Marshall said.

The Rising Sun was won last year by megastar Leap To Fame and is a $355,000 invitational for three and four-year-old pacers run at Albion Park on July 13.

Classy stablemates Smoken Ace and Bach will be making the trip to Queensland alongside Son Of Mac where they will be stabled with Biddaddaba-local Darrel Graham.

"The Graham family I've got to know from breaking in a horse for them, so I am very grateful to be staying at their facilities in Queensland."