Sharnee Rose has been consistent against Sydney's best mares without winning and Kris Lees is almost resigned to a similar result in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
That is unless the speed is more genuine than the trainer thinks it might be.
Sharnee Rose has been runner-up to Catkins in the Emancipation Stakes and Wiggle Stakes in two of her four autumn appearances, and the Chris Waller-trained mare is favourite to win again at Randwick on Saturday.
The field also includes Catkins' Group One-winning stablemate Red Tracer, the Guy Walter-trained Streama and classy three-year-old Solicit, with Sharnee Rose a $13 chance.
Lees knows Sharnee Rose will be competitive in the $1 million race, but said her chances of winning would hinge on the strength of the tempo.
"She's racing really well without winning. Every race she has run in (this campaign) has been won by horses in the first three," Lees said.
"And it could happen again.
"We probably just need a bit of tempo in a race, but there doesn't appear to be a great deal there again on Saturday."
Winner of two Group Three races last spring, Sharnee Rose gave Catkins a start in the Emancipation Stakes on heavy ground and ran on gamely for second.
Waller has opted to take blinkers off Catkins and apply winkers.
He told stewards jockey Hugh Bowman recommended the change, believing the mare would settle better and help her finish the race off over a mile.