The field may have been reduced through scratchings on a heavy track but today's Eclipse Ford Handicap (race 7) at Werribee still looks a great contest.
The race, heat four of the rich Rivette Series for fillies, is an RB72 rated race over 1400m where there looks little between Sport Chic and Thorn Star in the ratings.
Sport Chic, prepared by Clinton McDonald at Caulfield, was heavily backed at her second career start on her home track and she scored a determined win.
She then finished off her juvenile season over 1400m at Flemington where she didn't have a lot of luck.
Settling midfield on the inside but overracing as she was crowded up in traffic, the filly was held up there until late before getting going over the last furlong and running on into fourth behind Hidden Symbol.
After almost a year off she resumed over 1100m at Caulfield and probably needed the run.
Settling midfield, she worked to the line well to finish sixth but peaked on the effort and was well held in the end.
Last start, though, with the run under her belt, she improved sharply over 1200m up Flemington.
Settling second last, she ran on nicely over the final stages to finish fifth, 2.4 lengths from the winner Gig.
The filly looks very well placed here as she drops in company and has drawn the inside today.
The extra ground suits, she is a soft track winner and with winning rider Danny Nikolic aboard she should go close to returning to winning form.
Former Kiwi galloper Thorn Star turned in a nice run at her first start in Australia and can go one better here.
The lightly raced filly, formerly prepared by Andrew Scott, had nine runs in NZ for two wins and three minors placings.
After recording two placings on end over 1200m she tackled the Group 3 Windsor Park Stud Stakes and after settling and turning last in the big field got home well to finish seventh behind Burgundy.
She was then switched the stables of Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien and kicked off in similar grade to this at Sale over 1424m.
Settling last from a wide gate, she worked into the race on the turn and kept coming, finishing runner up behind easy winner Dayita.
She will be fitter for that run after five weeks off and has the blinkers, top jockey Damien Oliver and gate two today.
The filly looks a nig chance to go one better.
Destiny Blaze looks the other main hope and should be fighting out the finish as well.
The honest filly, in the Jim Mason yard, won races at Bendigo and Sale before tackling Saturday grade at Flemington.
There she was wide throughout from the extreme outside gate and always well back, finishing 13th.
After a let up she returned with a fast finishing fourth at Ballarat in a showcase race and will strip fitter for that today.
The filly is a soft track winner and looks a strong chance in this race.
Mo Vo and Barbie Dazzler, both coming off runs in town last two, are worth including for the multiples.
