A shame but not a disaster.

That's how trainer Liam Birchley summed up the performance of Missy Longstocking after she was beaten into the minor placing as a $1.65 favourite in the Mode Plate (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

After starting from the outside barrier in the eight-horse field, Missy Longstocking worked hard in the early stages to lead but began to tire in the straight and finished third.

Ridden by apprentice Aidan Holt, Missy Longstocking had no answer to the finishing burst of Enquare ($5.50) who scored by a half neck from the fast-finishing Splendora ($7).

Missy Longstocking was a short neck away third.

Birchley will press ahead with plans to start Missy Longstocking in the Group Three Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on December 28 but the filly isn't a certain starter in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.

"Her next start will tell us whether we go forward to the 1400 metres at the Coast," Birchley said.

"Today she just raced a bit fresh because she hasn't raced for a little while.

"It was a shame but not a disaster."

Trainer Jason McLachlan is on track to defend his Guineas title with Enquare.

McLachlan won last year's Guineas with Saluter and believes Enquare is an ideal type for the race.

Enquare's win was timely for McLachlan who returned to the training ranks last month after taking a break to deal with personal issues.