Gold Salute's improved performance in the Toorak Handicap has charged his jockey Mark Pegus with confidence heading into the Patinack Farm Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.Pegus said Gold Salute didn't fire as expected at his first two runs back from a long break but was encouraged by his last-start seventh to More Joyous when beaten less than two lengths in the Group One Toorak at Caulfield two weeks ago."He disappointed at his first couple of runs this campaign but he's back on track now," Pegus

Gold Salute's improved performance in the Toorak Handicap has charged his jockey Mark Pegus with confidence heading into the Patinack Farm Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.

Pegus said Gold Salute didn't fire as expected at his first two runs back from a long break but was encouraged by his last-start seventh to More Joyous when beaten less than two lengths in the Group One Toorak at Caulfield two weeks ago.

"He disappointed at his first couple of runs this campaign but he's back on track now," Pegus said.

"As long as he puts in like he did in the Toorak, he won't be far away on Saturday."

Gold Salute was given a long spell after he failed in last year's Group One Railway Stakes in Perth but Saturday's trip of 1600 metres has always been his best distance.

Last year he ran second in the Toorak and third in the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Trainer Mark Riley has the Emirates as the gelding's primary spring mission again this year.

First-up this campaign Gold Salute was beaten for pace over an unsuitable 1000 metres at Moonee Valley in August but tailed the field in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).

He was later diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and was sore behind and over the back.

But Pegus said his Toorak run was full of merit.

"He got held up slightly when he got up inside More Joyous and had to wait for her to go," Pegus said.

"She was just too sharp for us and off she went, but I was happy with his run.

"His grand final is the Emirates so he has to perform well Saturday to go there."

Gold Salute is equal fourth favourite at $9.50 with TAB Sportsbet for Saturday's Group Two feature.

Firebolt is $4.60 favourite ahead of Drumbeats ($7) and Toorak third placegetter Poor Judge ($7.50).

Gold Salute can be unpredictable at the start but has drawn well in barrier six.

"It is the perfect gate for him," Pegus said.

"We will get him out where he is comfortable, probably midfield, and hopefully get a bit of luck.

"The biggest worry is coming out the gates but he seemed to jump away okay the other day."

Meanwhile, Dwayne Dunn is the replacement rider for Stephen Baster on La Rocket.

Baster injured his ankle in a barrier mishap at Ballarat on Thursday.