The five-year-old gelding was an impressive heat winner on Sunday at Maitland to be one of the favourites for Saturday night's final.

Benalong Valley ($1.70), third in the final last year, was taken around the field by Cameron Hart to sit outside leader Battle Chimes after one lap on Sunday.

He kicked clear easily late to beat the Brendon Flaherty-trained Beautiful Stranger by 9.5m in a mile rate of 2:00:5. The Cameron Davies-trained Battle Chimes hung on for third to also make the group 3 final.

Munday had kept Benalong Valley safe for the Inter City Pace after a win at Penrith on November 28.

"I think the 12 months of racing at Menangle since last year's final has really strengthened him up, and he's matured," Munday said.

"On paper it does look a little bit weaker than what they had last year, but we'll see how the other heats go."

In heat two, Bolwarra trainer-driver Geoff Dorn qualified Sergei with a 3.8m win over the Melanie Elder-trained Ashark in 2:00:4. The Darren Elder-trained First Fleeter was third to make the decider. Are You With Me (Josh Farrugia) was the fastest fourth in the heats to also gain a final spot.

In heat three, Darren Elder's Our Uncle Alan won from Flaherty's Emm Aye Dee and the Neil Thompson-trained Franco Storm.

Lightning Bob, which was fourth in heat one for trainer Jenny Sellers, was first emergency for the 10-horse final.

Trainer Mitch Chapple had a winning double on his home track with Derringer and An Alliance.

At Newcastle on Saturday night, Nulkaba trainer Clayton Harmey continued his strong start to the season with wins to Western Heir and Tralee Rocks.

Saturday night's Menangle Park meeting was abandoned because of excessive smoke and heat.