Despite his formidable record of 33 wins from 69 starts, Lavra Joe is yet to score at Group 1 level.
He gets another chance in tomorrow night's $1.25 million event, where he races in the RAM Racing Syndicate slot once again.
The six-year-old's hopes of winning the feature took a blow at Tuesday's barrier draw, where he drew barrier eight.
Kyle Harper said it had done little to dent his confidence in Lavra Joe.
"It was a little disheartening to begin with and it's certainly not the draw we would've picked," Harper told TABradio.
"There's some phenomenal horses in this race, but I wouldn't swap him for any other drive.
"Last year you would've said he'd have to lead this race to be a winning chance.
"His last half a dozen starts Ray has done such a good job with him.
"He's really turned him around and settled him down.
"I think he's taken the next step."
The Roll With Joe gelding was unplaced first-up in the Pinjarra Cup, before he scored a stylish win over Nullarbor rival Swingband at Gloucester Park five days later.
His past three starts resulted in third placings in the Mount Eden Sprint (1684m) and Governors Cup (2130m) and a slashing fourth to Jumpingjackmac in the Bunbury Cup (2569m).
Harper said Lavra Joe's past three starts had felt like wins in their own right.
"You couldn't ask for a better lead into this race," he said.
"We haven't got the wins on the board in the last three, but the runs have been nearly better than winning."
Lavra Joe was a $7 chance with TAB touch prior to the barrier draw but has drifted to $14 since then.
Hot And Treacherous is the $2.65 favourite, ahead of fellow interstate runners Spirit Of St. Louis ($5) and Catch A Wave ($6).
While the visitors look set to be the key players in the early speed battle, Harper said he was keeping an open mind about what to do in the early stages of the race.
"He was a horse, once upon a time, that once you set him alight there was no coming back," he said.
"He just wanted to run 27 quarters and keep running.
"He's just been driving on a piece of cotton lately and that's why he's a big chance from the bad barrier.
"Option A is probably to go back and drive him cold.
"It's going to be a split decision."
