Star Turn bypassed the Group I jumpout down the straight at Flemington on Friday in favour of a heat around the bend later in the morning.
Hawkes Racing-trained Star Turn was nominated for the Group I heat earlier in the morning but instead ran in heat six over 800m on the inside grass, settled in second place behind the Tony McEvoy-trained Manuel after 100m.
Manuel went clear late and won the heat by 2 1/2-lengths over Star Turn and the Tom Hughes-trained Miss Vesper sharing second, Dwayne Dunn still with a tight hold of Star Turn through the line.
The time of 45.10 seconds the fastest of 15 heats on a track racing in the good (3) range.
Star Turn defeated older horses last time out in the Group II Caulfield Sprint on October 8 and is likely to race next in the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day.
Manuel has not raced since finishing fifth over 1050m at Morphettville on July 30.
You can watch the heat below, Manuel in the yellow jacket, Star Turn in the orange jacket.