Trainer Gary Portelli is keeping first-up expectations in check with Single Style while at the same time hoping she can join high-flying stablemate Rebel Dane in Melbourne.

Single Style returns to racing at Rosehill on Saturday after a short break following an autumn and winter campaign.

The four-year-old resumes over 1200m and Portelli has set her two goals against what promises to be a field of established sprinters.

"I'm hoping if she runs well she can earn a trip to Melbourne but that will depend on Saturday," Portelli said.

"She has to run first three I reckon or at least be steaming home looking for 1400 (metres) at her next run."

In her two most recent first-up starts, Single Style has finished no closer than seventh.

But both were in black-type company, including the Challenge Stakes where she returned one of the best finishing sectionals in the race despite winding up ninth to Snitzerland.

"She runs well fresh without being at her best fresh but I'm hoping she won't be too far off them," Portelli said.

Portelli had Single Style earmarked for a return to racing in last week's Nivison Stakes but he is glad he changed his mind.

"She just wasn't quite where I wanted her to be for the Nivison so I kept her an extra week," he said.

Expected rivals for Single Style will be Heart Testa, one of four entries for Chris Waller, and the in-form That's A Good Idea.

Peter Robl will ride Single Style as well as the mare's two-year-old stablemate Next Level.

A son of leading sire More Than Ready and related to the stakes-winning mare Kakakakatie, Next Level steps out for his first start after winning a Warwick Farm barrier trial.

"He's a little bit immature and I reckon he'll be a better horse next time through," Portelli said.