South Australian Stella Lante has snuck under the radar ahead of Wednesday's Group 1 Thousand Guineas with punters more keen on the likes of Molto Bene, Love For Ransom and Commanding Jewel.
But not including the John Hyam filly in tomorrow's chances looks fraught with danger.
She's barely left one-time favourite Love For Ransom's side over the pair's last two starts, and if she performs similarly again that could well thrust her right into the finish.
Stella Lante was only a head away two runs back when Love For Ransom won impressively at Moonee Valley, then she turned the tables on Greg Eurell's three-year-old two weeks back at Caulfield.
Jockey Vlad Duric believes the form around Love For Ransom puts his mount right in the race tomorrow.
“If you take a line through the other filly my filly should be thereabouts,” Duric said.
“I don't think there's a great deal between the two at this stage to be honest, she obviously beat us at the Valley when she was really impressive where my filly probably needed the run and got a bit lost.
“Then I just beat her home the other day.
“He [Hyam] is really happy with how she's progressed, she's been set for the race and I think this is going to be her best run this prep for sure.
“He put the winkers on her which I think will really help her. She's all primed to run her best race of her preparation anyway.
“The good draw [barrier two] is going to really help her and up to the mile I think is going to really suit her.”
Stella Lante's South Australian compatriot Molto Bene is rated the $4.50 Thousand Guineas favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
Love For Ransom is a $7.50 hope while Commanding Jewel and Maybe Discreet are perched on the third line of betting as $8 chances. Stella Lante is priced at $17.
“Molto Bene has drawn beautifully, Commanding Jewel's drawn nice, it just makes for a very competitive race,” Duric said.
“I don't think there's going to be a lot between first and tenth in the race it's going to be one of those where probably the best run in the race is going to win it.”
