Talented filly American Time will be targeted towards staying trips during the winter, with Canberra based trainer Gratz Vella adamant her best is still yet to come.

A winner of five of her ten career starts, the daughter of All American continued to raise the bar last preparation, including four straight wins.

A notable fourth placegetter in the Listed Canberra Guineas, American Time proceeded to hold her own against the older horses, when finishing midfield in the Country Championships Qualifier at Goulburn.

While appearing plain on paper, American Time was allotted 57kg and was a real eye catcher late in the piece.

Sent to the paddock following the event, Vella said he was thrilled with her progression.

"She came a long way last time in and I feel she still is a preparation away," Vella said.

"I thought her run in the Canberra Guineas held plenty of merit, she was really doing her best work late."

Given four weeks in the paddock, Vella confirmed she won't be participating in the Albury or Wagga Guineas, but hopes long term that it will be the right decision.

"By sending her to the paddock we forfeited our chance to run in either the Wagga Guineas or Albury Guineas, however we felt it was the right thing to do by the horse," Vella said.

"By doing so hopefully the rainbow is a bit brighter at the end."

Though yet to map out a concrete plan for American Time, Vella said she will likely kick off over 1400m.

"We are still yet to sit down with the owners and plot out our likely path, but at this stage the plan is to get her out over a bit of ground this preparation," Vella said.

"Obviously we'll have to wait and see how she progresses, but to this point she has given us all the right indications that she will be better over further.

"Jay Ford said he can't wait to see her over a mile and beyond."

Still a week away from returning to his stables, Vella admits she will help him get out of bed during the cold Canberra months.

"What she has achieved so far I feel has been a bonus, because she should only keep getting better with time," Vella said.

"She is easily my most exciting horse at the moment and I'm really looking forward to her coming preparation."