Sky Operative, Davies' only pacer at the races, has started the year with narrow back-to-back wins in 1:56:7 miles at Newcastle, taking his career tally to five victories in 67 starts.

"Last season was a pretty poor season for him," Davies said of the nine-year-old.

"He had a bit of an injury setback early in the season and then came back with five placings, which is fairly poor. He only won about $8000.

"The new season rolls through and we're lucky enough to snag two wins in two starts and we've won as much as we did the whole of last season."

However, the victories have raised his rating to 56 and he jumps from up to 52-grade to up to 60 in race two on Friday.

Davies said the Roy Roots jnr-trained Overthemoon was the horse to beat.

"It's gone 1:53 something twice over the mile there, so if it runs that time, we are basically a passenger," he said.

"We are about a 56 horse and we know where we are. He's nine years old now and that's the best we can do."

The Clayton Harmey-trained Has The Courage is the main danger for Overthemoon after winning on debut for the Cessnock trainer in 1:55:1 two weeks ago.

Another interesting runner on the night is Hoges Memories in the last for Maitland trainer Laura Spencer.

The gelding, born in 2012, will have his first start after three trial wins, the most recent by 46 metres.