Chris Waller has not ruled out pitting his rising star Unforgotten against the best there is in her stablemate Winx in the Cox Plate late this month.
The spring opportunities abound for the four-year-old mare but Waller said at Caulfield on Tuesday after she had galloped strongly on the course proper that last season's ATC Oaks winner was almost certain to have no more than one further run this campaign after she contests Saturday's $1 million Caulfield Stakes.
"It was my intention at the start of the prep not to over-race her," Waller said.
"If I was to back her up in the Caulfield Cup, I wouldn't be setting out to achieve what I said I was going to do, so that's not my preference.
"We won't say no (to a Caulfield Cup start). We do respect that it's a very big and time-honoured race.
"At this stage it's unlikely. If she had another run, it would probably be an Emirates Stakes.
"Who knows? The Cox Plate is still on the cards but Saturday will tell me a lot."
Michael Walker is set to take his first ride on Unforgotten on Saturday but on Tuesday morning watched closely as he galloped his Thousand Guineas contender Fiesta with the mare, who was ridden by James McDonald.
"James said when we got to the furlong, she wanted to eat me up, so to speak - go past me," Walker said.
"That's really encouraging and if she draws a nice gate on Saturday, she'll run really well."
Waller left no doubt as to what he thought of the daughter of Fastnet Rock:
"Unforgotten is a star in her own right," he said. "She'll appreciate getting out to 2000 (metres). She has no luck in the Epsom. She's a good horse.
"I think she's got a lot more to offer when she matures as a later four-year-old and she'll win a few more Group 1s that's for sure."
As for Winx, Waller reported that she had emerged from her memorable Turnbull Stakes victory in great order.
"She's come through it very well," he said. "It's a quiet week this week. She's been to the beach a couple of days. This morning was her first morning back on the track.
"What more can you say about Winx? She's a delight to train, a delight to watch and a pleasure to have in Australian racing."