Irion’s unexpected development as a miler has resulted in an early stakes test for the in-form mare at Trentham on Saturday.

The Sir Peter Vela-owned four-year-old booked her spot in the Gr.3 Paper Source Cuddle Stakes after consecutive wins at Tauherenikau and Hastings.

Successful in two sprint races in Victoria before transferring to Stephen Ramsay and Julia Ritchie’s stable, Irion has needed more ground to continue her progression.

“She’s surprised us a bit and we thought she would win first-up over 1200 metres at Taupo, but she wound up too late,” Pencarrow Stud racing manager Garry Cossey said.

“She got going again late over 1400 metres at Avondale and since we’ve put the blinkers on her she’s grown another leg.”

Irion was an easy winner over a mile two runs back and repeated the dose, in a slick 1.32.92, at her most recent appearance.

“It’s a big step up for her on Saturday, but she’s been running good times and Darryl Bradley is quite confident,” Cossey said.

“If we could sneak some black type with her that would be great.”

Stablemate Rasa Lila is another with strong form credentials to back her Listed Hiremaster New Zealand St Leger claims.

The four-year-old has won two of her last five outings and finished runner-up at Ellerslie in her Trentham lead-up.

“She was a touch unlucky last time out when she got pushed back in when going for a gap,” Cossey said.

“The only concern is the draw, it’s not ideal, but we’ve got Vinnie Colgan on and he’s won on her before from a wide gate.”