Trainer John Hawkes says he is playing catch up with Makybe Diva's $1.2 million half-brother Shadowofexcellence who will be on trial for the Victoria Derby in the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield.Hawkes said the Redoute's Choice colt, while inexperienced, was progressing well but a start in the Derby was still uncertain."He is going in the right direction but it is a long way to get to the top," Hawkes said."It is very hard for green horses playing catch up but he is doing a good

Trainer John Hawkes says he is playing catch up with Makybe Diva's $1.2 million half-brother Shadowofexcellence who will be on trial for the Victoria Derby in the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield.

Hawkes said the Redoute's Choice colt, while inexperienced, was progressing well but a start in the Derby was still uncertain.

"He is going in the right direction but it is a long way to get to the top," Hawkes said.

"It is very hard for green horses playing catch up but he is doing a good job just the same."

Shadowofexcellence was an eye-catching third at his race debut over 1300 metres on Geelong's synthetic track and was beaten less than a length in finishing third to Eclair Surprise in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at his only other start at Flemington on October 3.

Steven King, who rode Shadowofexcellence at both his starts, described the promising stayer as having "a bit of X-factor".

Dwayne Dunn replaces King on the colt on Saturday.

King will ride Almindoro whose only placing in three starts was a second in the UCI Stakes.

Makybe Diva's owner Tony Santic sold Shadowofexcellence to Patinack Farm's Nathan Tinkler but has retained an interest in the colt who is one of seven named foals from Tugela.

Six have raced and three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva and stakeswinners Valkyrie Diva and Musket have had success.

Hawkes was keeping an eye on the weather as heavy rain persisted in Melbourne on Friday.

He said he would delay a final decision on running Shadowofexcellence in the Norman Robinson until race morning.

Shadowofexcellence is among eight of the 13 Norman Robinson runners also nominated for next Wednesday's Geelong Classic (2200m).

TAB Sportsbet quoted Shadowofexcellence at $11 for Saturday's 2000m Caulfield feature.

Victoria Derby favourite and Spring Champion Stakes runner-up Retrieve heads the market at $2.70.

Rekindled Interest is backing up from a luckless fifth in the Caulfield Guineas and is at $4.40 while Retrieve's stablemate Yulalona is $8.50 after his last-start Listed Dulcify Quality (1800m) win.