Tictacs will be on trial for a crack at the Listed Aurie's Star Handicap in August when he faces his biggest test to date in Saturday's All Victorian Sprint Series Heat 3 at Flemington.By 1993 Caulfield Cup winner Fraar, Tictacs was having his fourth start for the David Hayes stable when he won first-up over 1200m at Sandown on May 13, narrowly beating subsequent city winner Mr Sargood.Previously with Tatura owner-trainer Stefan Jokic, Tictacs had won three of 10 starts including a 1400m event o

Tictacs will be on trial for a crack at the Listed Aurie's Star Handicap in August when he faces his biggest test to date in Saturday's All Victorian Sprint Series Heat 3 at Flemington.

By 1993 Caulfield Cup winner Fraar, Tictacs was having his fourth start for the David Hayes stable when he won first-up over 1200m at Sandown on May 13, narrowly beating subsequent city winner Mr Sargood.

Previously with Tatura owner-trainer Stefan Jokic, Tictacs had won three of 10 starts including a 1400m event on the Lakeside track at Sandown last August before Hayes, the Bryan Martin Syndicate and other stable clients paid a reported $240,000 for the gelding.

Hayes said Tictacs, who has won twice first-up on the Lakeside circuit over 1200m for him, would definitely benefit from his latest outing.

"He went into the race bigger in condition than he ever has been and I think that told the last little bit," he said.

"It was a beautiful ride by Craig (Williams) and he'll be a lot better this time.

"He is going up a little bit in class but everything he does suggests he'll be able to handle it.

"I'm hoping if he can run well up the straight we can set him for the Aurie's Star Handicap early in the new season. He's improving and going the right way."

The Hayes stable has won the Aurie's Star with two of its best gallopers, dual Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh in 2002 and five-time Group One winner Niconero in 2005.

Stephen Baster will ride Tictacs for the first time in a race replacing Williams who is riding at the Queensland Oaks meeting at Eagle Farm.

Brian Mayfield-Smith will rely on Gran Sasso in the 1200m sprint after scratching stablemate Stickpin this morning due to "a bit of a problem".

"I wish he could win a bit more often, but he's a pretty honest horse," Mayfield said of Gran Sasso who last start finished runner-up, beaten a head, to Saturday's rival Midnight Mustang in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on May 16.

It was his ninth second placing in 21 starts of which he has won four races.

"He's in great shape. He's jumping out of his skin and working very well," Mayfield-Smith said.

"I'm just hoping there is a little bit more speed in the race tomorrow than there was last time which brought him undone.

"It would suit him if he could settle back off the speed and run on."

Chris Symons will again ride Gran Sasso who meets the Tony Noonan-trained Midnight Mustang 1.5kg better at the weights for their meeting two weeks ago.

Steven King stays with Midnight Mustang who is $3.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Gran Sasso and Tictacs at $4.60, Time Matters at $5 with Pillar Of Hercules next best in the 10-horse field at $10.

The $150,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) is at Flemington on July 4.