The Mick Kent-trained Marianne is on a course for a possible start in the Group One Thousand Guineas after winning the LUCRF Jockey Trust Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.

Marianne ($3.80) sat with the leaders for most of the 1400m race before making her move and holding off a strong challenge from Critical Angel ($6) to win by a long neck.

Kent said Marianne, who went into Saturday's race as a last-start Cranbourne winner, would have her next outing in the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 21.

"I'm looking forward to getting her over a mile," he said.

"We have a run in the Guineas Prelude now and we'll see how she goes in that company."

Jockey Craig Williams said Marianne had made the right progression since Cranbourne.

"She still has more upside and today's win was full of merit," Williams said.

Race favourite, the Peter Moody-trained Spirit of Heaven ($2.50), made a slow start and had to work too hard to catch the leaders before finishing third, a long neck behind the runner-up.