A pleasing gallop from Commanding Jewel this week and a step up to a more suitable distance has trainer Leon Corstens expecting a prominent showing from the Group One winner in the Let's Elope Stakes.
Commanding Jewel made her first race appearance since last year's Thousand Guineas victory when she finished sixth in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley two weeks ago.
The four-year-old mare steps to 1400m in the Let's Elope at Flemington and has pleased Corstens since her first-up outing.
"She worked extremely well on Tuesday morning and had a good blow afterwards. That should clean her right up for Saturday," Corstens said.
"I would be very, very disappointed if she didn't run in the first three."
Corstens was satisfied with Commanding Jewel's first-up run and noted jockey Craig Williams reported the mare was forced to race out of her comfort zone over the 1000m journey.
Commanding Jewel has drawn barrier three for the Let's Elope with Ben Melham to ride the mare for the first time.
She is a half sister to Atlantic Jewel who made a triumphant return to racing last week to stretch her unbeaten record to eighth in the Group One Memsie Stakes.