The evergreen sprinter won the 1400m open feature last year five days after racing at Riccarton Park.
Two runs at the Grand National carnival and stepping out at Riccarton again last Saturday mean Irish Excuse will follow the pattern that led up to his win last year.
''It was the plan to go to Riccarton and then go to this race,'' Winsloe said.
''It worked last year, so we will try to do it again.''
Irish Excuse faces a massive drop in grade from his three runs this campaign.
The 9yr-old produced a stunning first-up victory over 1200m on August 3, the first day of the Grand National carnival.
The No Excuse Needed gelding could not repeat that dose on the second day of the carnival when running eighth over 1400m.
His rival today, Raise You Ten, fared better in that race when he finished second behind the smart Red Sierra.
Irish Excuse subsequently ran on for sixth behind Morweka in a hot field in his most recent start at Riccarton last weekend.
Winsloe said he was pleased with his horse's effort in the 1000m race.
''He was getting to the line quite well and Sam Collett was keen to ride him again.
''He seems to have come through that run pretty well.''
Raise You Ten did not back up his excellent run behind Red Sierra when he returned to Riccarton last weekend.
The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained galloper battled into fourth behind Irish Excuse's stablemate, Nomen Ludi.
Brian Anderton told NZ Racing Desk that rider Corey Campbell reported the horse did not handle the heavy11 Riccarton track.
''I was disappointed with his run on Saturday. He didn't finish on, he just battled.
''The jockey said he didn't handle the ground. It was pretty puggy.
''He's come home and eaten well and there is nothing wrong with him, so I thought he could run again.''
Wingatui trainer Steve Tyler has a big hand in today's feature with three runners.
Last-start Riccarton winner Just Push Play heads Tyler's trio of chances.
Just Push Play had no issues with the state of the Riccarton track when scoring in rating 82 company over 1400m last weekend.
The 6yr-old impressed when sprinting along the rail to win.
Tyler also has Black Label and Dreaming Easy in today's feature.
Black Label was enjoying a good run of form until he finished last behind Morweka at Riccarton last weekend.
Dreaming Easy has failed in three starts since her late-closing win in the River Plate at Ashburton in July.
Apprentice claims add another factor for punters to consider when they make their selections today.
Irish Excuse will carry 57kg courtesy of BB Hong's 3kg allowance.
Rohan Mudhoo, Kozzi Asano, and Rahul Beeharry will each claim 3kg from Raise You Ten (52kg), Lochan Ora (51kg), and Dreaming Easy (51kg) respectively.
Lochan Ora will have the second start of his campaign in today's feature for trainer Kelvin Tyler.
The 8yr-old steps up in grade to open company after running fourth of five runners behind Bluey's Chance at Wingatui last month.
