Steven Arnold will not deviate from familiar tactics on The Cleaner when he rides the front-runner for the first time in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

The Cleaner faces his biggest test when he takes aim in the weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The Mick Burles-trained gelding showed his grit with an all-the-way win over the same course and distance last start and Arnold know's the gelding's determination is his best asset.

"If he's back, there's something's gone wrong," Arnold said.

"His style is to break the field up and use his toughness. He'll be rolling along and sort of daring them to catch him."

The Cleaner is on the second line of betting for the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes, a race which earns the winner automatic entry into the Cox Plate.

Lawrence Stakes winner Star Rolling is the favourite at $4 in a field which also includes proven weight-for-age performer Foreteller ($7) and the Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer ($12).

The Cleaner has won the past two times he's raced at Moonee Valley but will be chasing his first Melbourne stakes win on Saturday.

"There's a couple of classy horses in the race but it would be his time to beat them, if he can beat them," Arnold said.