The tough little stayer has won 10 races, including five on heavy tracks and three on soft ground.

Destiny's Kiss returns to the McKell Cup, in which he was a well-beaten second behind La Amistad last year on a soft track. He has had nine starts on heavy tracks, with three of his four defeats coming first-up from a spell over unsuitable trips and another second-up at 1400 metres, with a 3kg-claiming apprentice in the saddle.

Add to the mix hall-of-fame jockey Jim Cassidy, who had his only sit on the six-year-old last start when third in the Lord Mayors Cup, and it builds confidence.

"He gave me a good feel last time. He is only small but he keeps going and the 2400 metres won't worry him," Cassidy said. "He has the right form in the conditions but he is only small and the 58kg is a fair bit of weight to lump. The danger is the stablemate [from Joe Pride] Sense Of Occasion but I think mine will handle the conditions better."

Cassidy expects a very heavy track and knows he will need to do his job to get the best of a full book of rides.

"It is about helping them through it and knowing that they can get through it makes a big different," Cassidy said. "Knowing you are on a mudlark, like Destiny's Kiss, gives you confidence but they still have to do it."

Acting chief steward Greg Rudolph rated Randwick a heavy-9 on Friday afternoon after walking the track.

"They are going to be getting off the fence and it is going to look very heavy by the end of the day," Rudolph said. "We will have another look at it at 6am after a couple of horses gallop on it."

Cassidy also rides the heavily supported two-year-old Press Statement, which has firmed from $7 to $3.20 on TAB fixed odds, in the opener.

"He is a nice horse. I saw him at the trials and winning his only start at Canterbury and he looks a real talent," Cassidy said.

The ultimate racing guide with the latest information on fields, form, tips, market fluctuations and odds, available on mobile, tablet and desktop.

Follow SMH Sport on Twitter