A trip to Queensland goes on the line for quality three-year-old Fontein Ruby at Caulfield.

Victory, or at the very least a good performance, would prompt connections to pay a late entry fee for the filly to contest the Group One Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 30.

Fontein Ruby is one of 35 nominations for the Super VOBIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 2000m on Saturday.

Clearly the top-rated horse in the race, Fontein Ruby will need a new jockey with Mark Zahra riding stablemate Under The Louvre in the Group One Goodwood in Adelaide.

Zahra was aboard Fontein Ruby when she strung together four wins in five starts including the Caulfield Classic last spring while Nick Hall had the mount when she was successful in a 1600m race at Caulfield on April 18.

Fontein Ruby then headed to Adelaide for the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 2 with Zahra back aboard but lost all hope with a slow start.

"She blew it at the start the other day," Smerdon said.

"Once she was slow out, that was the end of her chances.

"We will use this race as a guide as to whether she will be going up for the Queensland Oaks.

"She's not actually in the Queensland Oaks at this stage but if she was good enough here we would think about paying a late nom, otherwise she can go to the paddock."

Under The Louvre headed to the Cranbourne trials on Monday, finishing fifth with Zahra aboard.

Zahra picked up the mount with regular rider Hall sidelined with a wrist injury.

At his only race ride on Under The Louvre, Zahra steered him to a decisive win in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington in March.