James Cummings expects Romantic Moon to acquit herself well enough in the Winter Challenge without forcing connections to change new-season plans for the in-form mare.

One of the best-backed runners to win the $100,000 Listed race at Rosehill, Romantic Moon has been earmarked for an early retirement from racing.

"She'll go to stud this year unless she can prove she has more racing in her but she would need to be ultra impressive I would suggest, to be even tempted to go on," Cummings said.

Romantic Moon enhanced an already valuable pedigree with her Sweet Embrace Stakes win as a two-year-old when trained by John O'Shea.

Nothing went right for her during last year's spring carnival but Romantic Moon's form as a late season three-year-old for the Cummings camp will ensure she is rated a genuine winning chance on Saturday.

From Leilani Lodge, Romantic Moon has raced five times for a Rosehill win on June 28 and three placings, the latest against Generalife in the Listed Winter Stakes at the same track two weeks ago.

"She's had a few runs now but she seems as good as ever and on the speed map she is drawn to get a good run," Cummings said.

Romantic Moon is a Gooree-owned four-year-old by More Than Ready from the Danehill mare Tropical Affair and her close relations include Group Three winner Matras.

Other stakes performers in her pedigree include Zutara, Kabayan and Modoc.

"There have been plenty of good Gooree horses from that family," Cummings said.

"She's already a Group winner and she got some black type in her last run finished second in a Listed race so that's important for her page.

"But it would be nice if she could get a bit more."

Cummings and his grandfather Bart will also have Rosehill representation in The Peak (TAB Rewards Handicap) and Blazing Dragon (Big Sports Breakfast Handicap).

The Peak drops back to a benchmark race after finishing a close fourth in the Winter Stakes while Blazing Dragon is building towards longer events.