A heavy track prompted Tony McEvoy to delay the return of Manhattan Blues and he will instead run the gelding first-up in a tougher race at Moonee Valley.

The Blue Diamond Stakes fourth placegetter was entered to resume in a 1200m race in Adelaide on Saturday but McEvoy decided not to run him on a heavy track.

Manhattan Blues will instead resume in Saturday's Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) with James Winks to ride.

Manhattan Blues won one of his five starts as a juvenile with that victory coming on debut in Adelaide in January.

He was runner-up to stablemate Stoker in the Inglis Premier at Sandown in February at his third start before running home strongly for fourth in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.

His juvenile season closed with a sixth to Jameka in the Group Two VRC Sires Produce Stakes at Flemington.

McEvoy wasn't taken by Manhattan Blues' trial at Morphettville recently when he finished sixth in a 1000m heat on heavy ground, but he's hoping for a better showing on raceday.

"His trial was only fair, but I think the horse is well and I'm looking forward to getting him back to the races," McEvoy said.

"Obviously I wanted to kick him off in that small race in Adelaide but I just didn't want to run him on a heavy track first-up."

Manhattan Blues holds a Caulfield Guineas nomination and his performances will determine whether he earns a shot at races like that.

The McKenzie Stakes has 22 nominations with Group One placegetter Odyssey Moon and Gold Busker, winner of the Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes at Launceston in February, both on 56.5kg under the set weights plus penalties conditions.

The other 20 horses nominated have the limit of 55kg.